YOUNGSTERS in need were smiling last week as lottery winners pitched in to help renovate a Bury house for the homeless.

Lotto millionaires from across the North West were joined by staff and volunteers at Barnardo’s Rachel House, in Mossfield Close, last Wednesday

(March 25), as they spent the day painting flats and adding new fittings.

The house was set up in 1994 to look after homeless youngsters and support them to lead independent lives.

Hayley Taylor, aged 19, has lived at the home since July last year and believes the renovation work will make a real difference to her life.

She said: “I appreciate what they are doing so much.

“I came here last year because I wanted to get on my feet and get the support that I really needed.

“The people at Barnardo's have worked so closely with me since I arrived, and today they just asked how I would like the room to look and went and did it perfectly – it’s brilliant.”

Rachel House, which is part-funded by Bury Council, has previously received more than £150,000 of lottery funding to enable more accommodation to be built.

Last year, the service supported more than 20 vulnerable youngsters in the area, with many now managing their own tenancies.

Chantal Foy, the home’s service manager, added: “We are extremely grateful to all of the lottery winners for supporting us in this way and giving their time.

“The flats look so much better with a lick of paint and the young people have even been able to choose their own colour schemes.

“They certainly look more homely and I know all of the young people are absolutely delighted.”

Multi-millionaire Brian Caswell, from Bolton, was one of those donning their DIY gear to pitch in and was full of praise for Barnardo’s work.

Mr Caswell said: “There are a lot of very unfortunate stories that you hear in this world, and this is a way of helping people to start to get back on their feet.

“All of the people who stay here are in their teens and 20s and they need some help to get a new start in life.

“Barnardo’s do some great work giving them all the help they need and a chance to make their lives better.”