A Cleator Moor youth project has secured almost £300,000 of funding.

The Phoenix Youth Project will use the cash to deliver youth work services across Cleator Moor, Frizington and Moor Row to 8 – 19 year olds.

It means the project is close to being fully funded over over the next three years.

The funding has been awarded by The Copeland Community Fund (£181,134.80), BBC Children in Need (£90,000), the United Utilities Legacy Fund (£20,000) and #iwill Fund (£5,000), which are both managed by Cumbria Community Foundation.

Paul Rowe, project manager at Phoenix Youth Project, said: “We can’t put into words our thanks for the huge financial support and trust this funding has put in us.”

A £1,000 donation was also made by Michael Shaw, who attended for many years throughout his childhood and early adulthood.

He said: “I wanted to give something back to the youth club, as it gave so much to me.

“I enjoyed the trips the most and wanted the funding to provide a trip for the young people.”

Mr Rowe said: “The grant that gives us the most pleasure is the 1K from Michael.

“He was a challenge as a younger teenager but was a regular attendee of our Cleator Moor Youth Centre. By his older teenage years Michael was a great role model to the younger young people in the centre.

“He became a volunteer and to this day regularly drops into our office under the pretence of updating his CV, but more to catch up with our team.

“From everyone at the project thank you Michael and thank you to of our current, past and future funders of our project. “It’s your support that enables us to make a real difference in our communities.”