CHRISTMAS has come early for two well-known Ceredigion charities who teamed up to land a Big Lottery grant of over £200,000.

Jig-So Children’s Centre, of Cardigan, and Lampeter-based Home-Start (Ceredigion) have learnt that their collaborative bid to the Big Lottery Fund entitled Barod i’r Ysgol (Ready for School) has been awarded the sum of £211,039 over three years.

In a joint statement, Linda Grace, chair of Jig-So Children’s Centre, and Rev Cen Llwyd, chair of Home-Start, said: “We are pleased to have the opportunity for the two organisations to deliver a collaborative Big Lottery-funded project and further develop our long-standing partnership working.

“This project will further support children and families living in rural Wales in helping children reach their full potential. The project will promote early language skills, health and well-being, play and social skills amongst other activities and link with schools and other professionals.

“We are delighted that staff and volunteers will be engaged with this vitally important transitional period in a young child’s life.”