A BUDDING North Yorkshire film-maker has donated a £2,000 prize - won in a TV competition - to charities helping the homeless.

Nick Fletcher, from Malton, entered a competition run by the Community Channel on Freeview TV, the UK's only not-for-profit TV channel, which aims to show how individuals can make a difference to their own lives and enrich others.

He donated £1,000 to Shelter and the other £1,000 to York Council For Voluntary Service and, after discussing the matter with its chief executive Colin Stroud, agreed that half the money should go to Carecent, a church project providing breakfast and support for homeless people in York.

The other £500 is going to York Action On Young Homeless (YAYH), which has a fund to help young homeless people take up accommodation in the city.

Nick hopes to make a film about the work of Carecent, based at the Central Methodist Church in St Saviourgate.

He handed over the cheque to Mr Stroud at the centre during a regular art class for homeless people.

Mr Stroud said: "Full marks to Nick for taking this initiative and for thinking of us.

"I'm sure Carecent will find a good use for the cash over the coming weeks and the donation to YAYH will help a homeless young person to get a home of their own."

A Carecent spokesman said: "We are pleased to receive this money to enable it to be used for the benefit of the less fortunate members of our local community."

Updated: 08:37 Wednesday, December 01, 2004