A HOMELESSNESS charity has received cash that will help it support those in need seven days a week.

Lodging House Mission is one of six Scottish charities to welcome a share of funding from Bank of Scotland Foundation’s 2018 Large Grants Programme.

The award of £82,965 is to cover core costs such as salaries, food and heating over the next two years, helping them to continue to provide shelter and warmth for Glasgow’s homeless.

Gus Smeaton, Director and Interim Manager at The Lodging House Mission, said: "We aim to make a difference and this grant will allow us to do that.

"Opening on a Saturday and Sunday will ensure that we can feed and provide additional services to Glasgow's poorest and most vulnerable citizens.

"Thanks to the Bank of Scotland Foundation many people will not go hungry or lack help at the weekend."

During the first half of 2018, a total of 44 charities have shared £889,880 of funding from Bank of Scotland Foundation’s Small, Medium and Large Grants Programmes benefitting community projects right across Scotland.

Lodging House Mission has been meeting the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in Glasgow for more than 100 years.

Its paid staff team and volunteers provide a range of practical support to people whose lifestyles are often chaotic and lonely, typically through homelessness, mental health, addiction and ex-offender issues.

The Large Grant they have received from the Foundation will help with salary costs, utility bills and the cost of consumables such as food, refreshments and cleaning materials.

Now in its fourth year, the Large Grants programme provides successful charities with steady, reliable, funding of between £50,000 and £100,000 for larger projects over two years.

Five other charities received Large Grants totalling £399,205 - two of which are also Glasgow based - with awards for:

•The cost of project workers for a digital inclusion project run by Thenue Housing Association in Glasgow.

•The costs of a senior welfare officer within Glasgow's Golden Generation who will advise and guide clients through the benefits system and to access entitlements.

•Staff and running costs to support six cafes run by Healthy Valleys in Lanark which deliver food and hygiene courses to vulnerable people.

•Staff and running costs so Coatbridge Citizens Advice Bureau can deliver a frontline financial advice project and raise awareness of financial literacy to vulnerable clients.

•Support worker costs, so that YMCA Glenrothes can support young people for up to a year who progress to their own tenancies, particularly those that have been through care.

Seven further Glasgow charities benefitted received a share of £80,113 of funding from the Foundation’s Small and Medium Grant Programmes.

Philip Grant, chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and chairman of the Scottish Executive Committee, Lloyds Banking Group, added: “We are delighted to award three Glasgow charities with Large Grants this year - each one was able to show the real difference the funding would make to their community, be it providing much needed shelter for the homeless to the digital inclusion of disadvantaged people.

"It’s encouraging to know that we’ve been able to support a further seven Glasgow charities through our Small and Medium Grant Programmes too."