Bank of America, based on Chester Business Park, has awarded Save the Family more than £86,000 to support its ongoing work with homeless families throughout the region.

The charity, established in Chester more than 30 years ago, provides emergency accommodation at Oakenholt, Flintshire and educational training to struggling families and individuals from Cheshire, North Wales and Merseyside.

The funding will be invested in the charity's unique social enterprise programmes. The enterprise initiative, which includes selling homemade jam and handcrafted jewellery, was devised to encourage self-sufficiency, new skills and boost self-esteem among residents at Save the Family's existing North Wales accommodation centre and numerous outreach houses.

The funding also forms an integral part of the charity's plans for a new accommodation facility on the outskirts of Chester at Cotton Edmunds.

Save the Family received planning permission for the centre at Cotton Hall Farm, near Christleton, earlier this year.

Once complete, the facility will house up to 26 families and include an adult and children's training centre and activity hall.

Save the Family founder Edna Speed MBE accepted the donation from the bank's business operations executive Annette Barnes at an event at Eaton Hall, home of the Duke and Duchess of Westminster

Miss Barnes said: "Bank of America is committed to supporting local projects and is delighted to be working with Save the Family. The charity's commitment to helping hundreds of local families facing life on the streets is humbling.

"We feel it is incredibly important as a major local employer to support the community and do whatever we can – both practically and financially. We're thrilled to be able to provide education, training and future employment opportunities to homeless families through our support of the Save the Family social enterprise programme"

Mrs Speed added: "Once again we're amazed by the generosity and support bestowed upon us by such a large corporation. Bank of America has already helped us in so many ways – whether it's been painting a ceiling at Cotton Hall Farm or by funding an essential piece of equipment or furniture.

"To receive more than £86,000 towards our social enterprise programme is a dream come true. Thanks to this funding, we can continue in our mission to help our residents develop new skills, take pride in themselves and their achievements and turn their lives around."

For further information about Save the Family visit www.savethe family.uk.com