A CHARITY that helps homeless young people in the Black Country has received a £500 cash boost.

Dudley North MP Ian Austin handed over the generous cheque to the YMCA Black Country Group as part of his pledge to give away the 10 per cent pay rise handed to MPs in 2015.

The donation will support the YMCA’s Open Doors Project, which supports host families across the Black Country as they share their homes with homeless young people.

Mr Austin said: "I promised at the election that when times are tough for so many local families I would use the MPs' pay rise to help good causes.

“I really wanted to support organisations working with young people in Dudley, particularly those involved in improving education or opening up opportunities for young people.

“The YMCA does brilliant work in Dudley and the wider Black Country so I am really pleased to handover £500 to help them continue their support for local youngsters.”