A BUILDING society has thanked its Keighley customers for their support of homeless young people.

Yorkshire Building Society's Low Street branch has raised more than £750 for End Youth Homelessness (EYH) since a partnership with the charity was set-up in 2017.

Across the company's branches, a landmark £500,000 has been coined-in.

EYH is a national movement committed to ending homelessness among 16-to-25-year-olds.

Money raised so far through its link-up with the building society has funded a rent deposit scheme.

Under the venture, young people without a roof over their heads are helped to find their own rented homes – and private landlords can fill vacant properties quickly.

To date, support has been given to 180 young people.

They also benefit from dedicated help and financial advice to give them the skills and confidence needed to go on to lead successful and independent lives.

Latest figures show that around 103,000 young people in the UK are homeless, or at risk of homelessness.

In the Bradford district, 1,242 young people received some homelessness support from the local authority in 2017-18.

Chloe Emmerson, manager of the building society's Keighley branch, said: "Through our partnership with End Youth Homelessness, we are providing real help for young people in need.

"Thanks to the generosity of people in Keighley, we have been able to provide homeless young people with a safe place to call home.

"Everyone who has played a part in us reaching this milestone figure should be proud of what they have achieved."

Nicholas Connolly, managing director of EYH, pays tribute to all those who have helped raise funds.

"I want to thank all Yorkshire Building Society colleagues and customers who have donated to our cause," he said.

"Without this support, we simply couldn't help vulnerable young people who so desperately need it.

"Thanks to the fundraising, we're able to reach these young people and ensure that they have a safe place to call home. People are helping to change lives and that's amazing."

Every year, EYH member charities work directly with over 30,000 vulnerable and homeless young people.

For more details, visit ybs.co.uk/your-society.