YOUR votes have helped a project that offers support to young carers in Huntingdonshire win £60,000 of funding. The money was won through a television show that allowed viewers to decide which good causes should get the cash. And the Crossroads young care

YOUR votes have helped a project that offers support to young carers in Huntingdonshire win £60,000 of funding.

The money was won through a television show that allowed viewers to decide which good causes should get the cash. And the Crossroads young carers project was one of the winners.

Based in St Ives, the West Anglia Crossroads Caring for Carers charity was awarded £61,094 after wining the support of the public on ITV1 last week.

Going head-to-head with nine other community schemes, Crossroads was one of five groups in Anglia West to be awarded a Big Lottery Fund grant in the People's Millions contest.

In all, more than £350,000 was awarded to projects and nearly 21,000 people voted.

Lucy Francklin, who works for the young carers project, said the funding was fantastic news but because of the demands on the service, the money would last for only about a year.

"We would like to thank everyone who voted for us," she told The Hunts Post. "The support we received from the public shows that they value the service we offer and acknowledges that young carers deserve our support.

"We will continue to fundraise because it costs about £108,000 a year to run the project."

She added that the latest grant would be used to support young carers whose lives are restricted by their responsibilities caring for a family member.

In particular, the money would be put towards paying for one-to-one advice sessions and days out to give young people a break from their role as carers.

West Anglia Caring for Carers helps some 300 carers under the age of 19 by offering support, advice and a break from their commitment.

There are estimated to be more than 175,000 young carers under the age of 18 in the UK.

* If you did not vote for Crossroads, there is still time to make a difference to a Huntingdonshire community. Another televised vote is taking place that would provide funding for a new cycle and foot bridge over the River Great Ouse in St Neots. Voting online is at www.thepeoples50million.org.uk by noon on December 10.

The project will compete against three other applications appearing on the People's £50 Million Lottery Giveaway with the winner announced on December 12.

INFORMATION: To find out more about the young carers project phone 0845 2412125 or e-mail enquires@youngcarershunts.org.uk