A Bradford charity which provides emergency accommodation for young homeless people was today awarded £230,000 of lottery cash.

Bradford Nightstop has received the cash from the Reaching and Communities Fund of the Big Lottery. The grant will help fund the charity’s Youth Homelessness Prevention Project for the next five years.

The Manningham-based charity provides accommodation for homeless people aged 16 to 25 in the homes of volunteers, on a one-night-only basis.

Bradford Nightstop education worker Bill McCann said: “In these difficult times it’s wonderful to be granted this substantial amount.

“This award means we can build on our expertise in the field of youth homelessness to develop the emergency accommodation and preventative education services we offer young people.

“Through the recruitment and training of more volunteer drivers, hosts and telephone contact people, this funding will help us ensure that young people don’t have to endanger themselves by sleeping rough on the streets.

“We can also continue to deliver our preventative education sessions throughout the district so that they are aware of the dangers of rough sleeping, know where they can access support and understand the importance of a planned move from the family home.”

Mollie Somerville, a volunteer host and member of the charity’s management committee, said the money will make a huge difference.

“It will give us the stability to plan for five years and not be wondering whether we’ll be able to help young people at all,” she said.

Bradford Nightstop was set up in 1993. A team of volunteer hosts are on call on a rota system to take in a homeless young person overnight, providing them with a hot meal, a bath or shower and a change of clothes. One young person who recently stayed with a volunteer said: “They are lovely people. They make you feel very safe and welcome.”

The Telegraph & Argus recently reported that the number of people in Bradford made homeless due to circumstances beyond their control had rocketed by 80 per cent in 12 months.

Bradford Nightstop has had to turn people away because there were not enough volunteers to meet demand. Mr McCann said that in 2010/11, the charity received 525 referrals, up by 20 cases on the previous year.

l Bradford Nightstop is in need of more volunteers. Anyone who would like to get involved is asked to ring (01274) 776888 or email administrator@bradfordnightstop.org.uk.