CHESTER-BASED community group Save the Family has received a funding boost of £5,000 through the Yorkshire Bank Spirit of the Community Awards.

At an awards ceremony in Leeds to recognise UK charities and not for profit organisations that are going the extra mile, Yorkshire Bank announced a total donation of £80,000 to 15 community groups across England.

Now in its sixth year, the Spirit of the Community Awards recognises charities and not-for-profit organisations for the invaluable contributions they make to their local communities.

Debbie Crosbie, group chief operating officer at Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks and chairwoman of the Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank Foundation, said: "The help and support these organisations continue to provide their local communities is invaluable.

"The Yorkshire Bank's Spirit of the Community Awards is not only our way to thank these incredible community groups, but also to recognise and support the vital contributions they make. While there can only be 15 winners, every organisation who was nominated for an award is extremely deserving of recognition."

Save the Family provides residential accommodation and support for troubled families that are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and who have multiple and complex needs.

The charity is based outside Chester with 26 self-contained residential units, a community hall, sports hall, training kitchen, workshop and a well-equipped children's centre with a sensory room.

Save the Family spends time with families, preparing and mentoring them for independent living, developing role-model family mentors and teaching basic life-skills and training.