AN OTLEY church has given a global charity a £14,500 funding boost.

The Bridge United Reformed Church has been raising money for Feed the Minds for the past two years.

Over that period the church has held everything from quiz evenings to teas on the lawn - timed to tie in with major events - to generate funds.

The money will be used by Feed the Minds to support education-focused projects designed to help people in developing countries lift themselves out of extreme poverty.

The charity’s Director of Fundraising and Communications, Adam Sach, said: “The partnership with The Bridge Church in Otley has beeen a wonderful two year journey.

“We are so thankful for the fantastic support and donations; these will directly help change the lives for some of the world’s poorest communities.”

Examples of current Feed the Minds schemes include a programme in northern Uganda where women and young people are being trained in new vocational skills.

In Sierra Leone the charity has been equipping women in rural communities with agriculture skills, while in Kenya it is working to end Female Genital Mutilation by raising awareness of its harmful effects.

The Bridge Church served up refreshments to spectators during this year’s Otley Carnival parade and Tour de Yorkshire cycle race as part of its fundraising efforts.