The Ferry Project in Wisbech, has been awarded £600 towards a new kitchen, thanks to a donation from local house builder, CALA Homes.

Wisbech Standard: Pictured left to right: Trevor Ketteringham (QMC) maintenance), Nicola Knowles (QMC centre manager), Janette Putt (QMC receptionist), Louise Johnson (CALA Homes sales manager), Hazel Howell (QMC trainee fund raiser). Louise Johnson (CALA Homes), grey jacket, visits the Queens Mary Centre in Wisbech which has been given £1000 for the Ferry Project at the Queen Marys Centre, as part of the CALA Homes' Community Bursary scheme. CALA Homes Community Bursary scheme donation, Queen Marys Centre, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, on January 30, 2018Pictured left to right: Trevor Ketteringham (QMC) maintenance), Nicola Knowles (QMC centre manager), Janette Putt (QMC receptionist), Louise Johnson (CALA Homes sales manager), Hazel Howell (QMC trainee fund raiser). Louise Johnson (CALA Homes), grey jacket, visits the Queens Mary Centre in Wisbech which has been given £1000 for the Ferry Project at the Queen Marys Centre, as part of the CALA Homes' Community Bursary scheme. CALA Homes Community Bursary scheme donation, Queen Marys Centre, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, on January 30, 2018 (Image: © Paul Marriott Photography)

The project manages the Queen Mary Centre, which offers services to local people, who are vulnerable to homelessness.

It runs an 18 bed emergency night shelter, a 24-bed hostel, and 30 move-on properties.

Duncan Jackson, regional managing director for CALA Homes north home counties, said: “After receiving lots of incredible applications from many worthwhile causes, we faced a really tough decision when selecting the final successful groups for the community bursary initiative.

“The work that the Ferry Project does for homeless people is invaluable and has a massive impact on the local community.”

Hazel Howell, trainee fund raising officer at the Ferry Project, said: “We are thrilled to have received this donation.

“In 2013, the Queen Mary Centre was used by four community groups and was marked as a demolition site.

“However, we have since been able to utilise the space it provides to hold parties, wedding and concerts. Now over 60 groups regularly use the centre.

“The installation of this kitchen will greatly improve the services we can offer local community groups, charities and our own work with the homeless.

“As well as enabling us to prepare food on site, instead of relying on local catering companies, the kitchen will provide great volunteering opportunities for local people who are trying to develop their employability and better their lives.”

• CALA Homes has launched its bursary scheme for 2018, which is open to local charities and communities. The closing date for entries is Friday March 23. Visit www.cala.co.uk/bursary-cambridgeshire.