A COMMUNITY café has been handed a funding boost to ensure it can continue to provide vital support for vulnerable people.

The Ark Community Café is providing an important service in Sandiway and Cuddington by delivering packed lunches to vulnerable residents who are shielding or self-isolating.

Thanks to Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner David Keane, the group has now been boosted by a £1,000 grant from his Safer Communities Express Grant Fund.

The Ark usually runs a community café in the area, but had to quickly adapted its service to support people through the coronavirus crisis.

Food packages are also being offered to staff at local schools caring for children or frontline workers.

PCC David Keane said: “The coronavirus has presented an unprecedented crisis in our communities with more people than ever having to rely on local volunteers and support groups to get access to vital supplies.

“It’s fantastic to see so many community organisations like The Ark Community Café responding to this crisis and supporting vulnerable people.

“If there is one positive thing we are seeing at the moment, it is a real spirit in our communities of people pulling together to help their neighbours.

“This helps cement the fact that we are all in this together and that we all need to support each other in the best way we can.”

The Safer Communities Express Grant Fund aims to empower local people to take action.

It takes money from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act and reinvests it back into local communities.