FRESH funding is being sought to extend two bold initiatives which have benefited all generations of Asians in Bury during the past three years.

And the man who helped spearhead the initial application for funding has given £500 towards maintaining the schemes. In 1998, the Jinnah Day Care Centre in Bury secured Lottery and other funding of around £200,000 which allowed it to go-ahead with two major projects.

Undertaken by Jinnah Projects from a base in the town's Ingham Street, the schemes involved a carers volunteer project and a twin initiative to train volunteers to act as advisers.

The latter programme was made possible when Jinnah hit the jackpot by securing £170,061 of National Lottery cash. And the carers project was funded to the tune of a £36,000 grant via the Department of Health Consortium for Opportunities for Volunteering.

During the last three years, organisers say both projects have proved extremely successful.

However, funding is now running out, although Jinnah Projects is hopeful a new National Lottery bid to extend the schemes will be successful.

Meanwhile, Radcliffe businessman Mr Mohammed Muneer has stepped in to provide a £500 donation towards the work.

Three years ago, as executive chairman of the Jinnah Day Care Centre, he helped secure the funding in the first place. Commenting on the projects, he said: "They've been very successful and excellent projects for our community and have helped so many people."

Naheed Akthar, project co-ordinator, said: "Earlier, we'd had a target of 16 volunteers from the Asian community to be trained to go back into employment.

"But we recruited a total of 46 volunteers, 27 of whom have gone into full-time education."

The other initiative has allowed volunteers to help people carry out caring in their own homes. This has helped around 30 families.

She added: "Our funding is now finishing and we are trying to raise money to allow the projects to continue.

"Jinnah Projects has six full-time and part-time staff."