A SPECIAL needs group has been given an early Christmas present - thanks to the Evening Press.

Managers at Clifton-based charity SNAPPY described their £5,000 stocking-filler as "a lifeline".

The cash, handed over by Evening Press editor Liz Page, came from a grant awarded by the Gannett Foundation.

The foundation is a charity-wing of the American newspaper giant, which is the Evening Press's parent company.

The Evening Press applied for the grant after backing a fundraising campaign for the charity earlier this year.

That helped to raise £14,000 to keep SNAPPY, which was established 17 years ago and runs activities for people with learning difficulties, afloat.

Today, SNAPPY project manager Anne Pemberton said she was very grateful to receive the award.

"It was a total shock to find about this award, but we are thrilled to bits," Mrs Pemberton said.

"We are hoping to use the money to set up an exhibition of art work by the children. We would like to hold it in somewhere like the Barbican.

"I am very grateful to have received this award and I would like to say particular thanks to Gannett and the Evening Press.

"You have done so much for us in the last year.

"What this grant has done is give these young people an opportunity.

"Maybe it will be a lifeline and start the ball rolling for other grants.

"It is a constant struggle to find cash but now we can look forward to a better future with this present."

Mrs Page said: "We recognised a long time ago what a wonderful local cause SNAPPY was.

"We knew they were struggling financially, and didn't hesitate to recommend them for this award.

"We were delighted when we found out we were one of the few around Britain to win a coveted Gannett award."

Updated: 11:18 Saturday, December 15, 2001