A GROUP which offers practical support to young families in Musselburgh has received a £1,000 cash boost.

The First Step Community Project has been awarded the funding by housebuilder Persimmon Homes East Scotland.

The group provides access to nursery care and a range of supportive and practical classes for parents, with topics that include parenting, fitness, relaxation and cooking.

The community project welcomed the cash boost, saying that it will allow its work to continue and help tackle bigger fundraising ideas that will promote the group further.

Heather Young, volunteer co-ordinator at First Step, said: “First Step is delighted to be selected as one of this month’s Persimmon Homes Community Champions.

“We are supported by a dedicated team of volunteers and this money will not only help us to support young families, but it will also offer an opportunity to develop the skills of our volunteers in the hope that it may help them with their employment prospects.”

Persimmon Homes East Scotland, which has Dovecote Wynd at Wallyford and Saxon Fields in Haddington, has awarded the money to the charity as part of its Community Champions initiative. This is a year-long programme with £750,000 to be spread across the housebuilder’s 28 regions. Groups and charities who have already worked hard to raise funds themselves can apply for match funding of up to £1,000.

Jim Kirkpatrick, managing director at Persimmon Homes East Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be supporting First Step Community Project in continuing their good work within our community.

“Our Community Champions scheme is still welcoming applications, so we’d urge charities and groups who are fundraising to visit our website and apply.”