A CHARITY group organising holidays for single parent families in Bury looks set to be saved.

As reported in last September, the holiday scheme looked doomed after cash ran out.

It had been going in the town for nearly 20 years under the auspices of the Women's Royal Voluntary Service.

Now East Ward councillor Trevor Holt, who has been involved for about 16 years and helped to raise about £6,000 during his year as mayor in 1996-7, will chair a new trust designed to keep the good times rolling.

There is an immediate need for cash to ensure that families can go away this year.

Coun Holt explained: "The money raised in my year as mayor is all gone and things are bound to be hectic this time around.

"It will cost us about £3,500 to pay for the 1999 holidays but there is next to nothing in the bank. A couple of big grants or donations of maybe £500 or so are urgently needed because we have no time to fund-raise ourselves this year."

In the long run the trust will apply to the National Lottery, Bury Council and a range of trusts to secure funding.

The Charities Commission is in the process of approving trust status for the new body which will be known, appropriately, as The Sandcastle Trust (Bury Metro).

The Sandcastle Trust (Bury Metro) will have four trustees and a supporting committee. Appeal letters have already been drawn up.

Coun Holt added: "We realise there is a high level of competition for funding. But the holidays have always been very popular and we are hoping for the best."

Anyone with cash or fund-raising ideas can contact Jean Rigby on (0161) 761 1549 or (0161) 764 8883, or Coun Holt on (01204) 88 5898.

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