Staff at a York refuge for women and children escaping domestic violence were today celebrating a £118,000 lottery windfall that guarantees the future of their child support project for the next three years.

The lottery charities fund cash will pay the salaries of two children's workers, as well as paying for a computer with internet access, play equipment and refurbishment of the York Women's Aid refuge.

Child support worker Clare, who does not want her full name used, said: "This is really great news.

"We had been hoping to get the grant, but there were no guarantees. If we hadn't got it, it would have meant there would have been no child support scheme here."

Clare said support work with children from violent homes was vital.

"When children come into a refuge they have experienced domestic violence along similar lines to what their mums have.

"They're feeling quiet, often very solitary, depressed, lonely. It is all about raising their self-esteem, their self-control, and trying to rebuild the relationship between mum and child."

The refuge grant is one of 111 announced yesterday by the lottery charities board in Yorkshire and the Humberside.

York family mediation service received £9,000 to help low-income families who need mediation. Other local organisations to receive grants include the York-based One Partent Families (£94,188) and York Family Mediation Service (£9,000).

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