A GOVAN charity which supports war veterans has received a funding boost of £90,000 - thanks to the Big Lottery Fund.

The Coming Home Centre, based in the Pearce Institute in Govan, is one of 20 groups which will now be able to continue and expand their vital support and services to thousands of war heroes, thanks to cash raised by National Lottery players.

The cash boost will allow the drop in centre to provide activities and services such as benefits advice, help with pensions, housing support, CV writing, free hot meals, food parcels and cooking classes.

Ian Hopkins, Operations Manager at The Coming Home Centre, said: “Over the last two years we have seen the numbers of veterans seeking help and support almost double, currently we are now providing 200 meals per week, plus food bags and emergency supplies, alongside cooking and healthy eating classes.

“Given the increase in numbers and the variety of requests for support, our administration requirements have also increased.”

He added: “The funding from the Big Lottery Fund means we can employ a full-time catering manager and part-time admin worker, which will allow the rest of the team to focus on the support side of our operation, including dealing with housing, benefits, pensions, those suffering with mental and physical health issues, and providing a safe and secure environment, where veterans can share time with others who have similar experiences and values.

“Our client base ranges from Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq, back to World War II.”

The Evening Times reported earlier this week that the charity have signalled that they want to raise £150,000 to increase the number of veterans they help from over 350 to 500.

A crowdfunding page was set up to help them realise their ambitions.

Other Glasgow projects benefit from a lottery boost including the Greater Easterhouse Alcohol Awareness Project.

They will use their £114,601 grant to support people and their families where relationships have broken down due to alcohol addiction.

Glasgow Disability Alliance received £500,000.

The group will use the funding to continue to support disabled people.

This will be achieved through a range of activities including information and advice sessions, learning tasters and personal development programmes.

Space Unlimited which helps vulnerable young people who drop out or leave school were awarded £128, 365.

Big Lottery Fund Scotland chair, Maureen McGinn said: “This funding is being shared by 20 inspiring community projects which, while being very different, share a common ambition; bringing real improvements to the lives of local people and their communities.”

She added: “This National Lottery cash will make a huge difference where it is needed most.”