CALLING community groups and voluntary organisations in Bolton. . .

Would you like some money?

That is a silly question in a world where such organisations are almost always short of the necessary funds.

Welcome

So when we learn that Bolton has been allocated £126,000 to be spread out around community and voluntary organisations we have to welcome the news.

Of course there is the dreaded paperwork to be sorted out and a system for working out who gets what.

But we can see the queue starting already!

By the way, we also think that, at the time of the bid for city status, it is interesting that, in the slicing of the financial 'cake', only Liverpool and Manchester -- both cities -- were allocated more funding than Bolton. Youths achieve a 'goal-den' honour AT a time when we find ourselves publishing more and more stories about vandalism and anti-social behaviour by the young people of Bolton it comes as a breath of fresh air to be able to to report that two of the town's teenagers have received Youth Achievement Awards.

The two 17-year-olds, thought to be the first to get the award in Bolton, have also been recognised by Bolton Wanderers with a VIP tour of the Reebok offered as a bonus prize.

Shelter

Emma Young and Chris Poole gained their awards after working with the Bolton Young Person's Housing Scheme which provides shelter for homeless people aged 16 to 25.

No one told these youngsters that they had to work with the scheme, they just wanted to.

It is certainly a more rewarding occupation than hanging around on street corners, drinking or vandalising bus shelters.

We think the Reebok tour was a nice gesture by the Wanderers.

We are pleased to be able to join in congratulating the two youngsters.

They should be held up as an example of how young people can behave when they really want to.