A Prestbury-based charity has received a financial boost.

Hello Buddy is among 212 recipients of the Common Ground Award, which will see over £2 million invested in grassroots groups across England.

This funding will support Hello Buddy to expand its work building interfaith connections and creating opportunities for dialogue and understanding, helping more people across Macclesfield and the Greater Manchester communities to connect and participate in community life.

CEO Michelle Mosses said: "Receiving the Common Ground Award for Hello Buddy fills me with pride and gratitude.

"This journey has been all about bringing people together, and this recognition makes it even more special."

Hello Buddy is a registered charity working to build understanding and empathy between children from different faiths and backgrounds.

Based in the Prestbury area, it brings together young people aged 7–12 through regular activities such as after-school clubs, holiday camps and community events, creating opportunities for friendships across cultural and religious divides.

Since launching, the organisation has already engaged over 1,700 children hosting more than 100 events, promoting values of respect, compassion and inclusion while helping to strengthen interfaith connections in local communities.

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MP for Macclesfield Tim Roca has welcomed the new government funding awarded to the charity.

He said: "I was pleased to meet Michelle from Hello Buddy and see first-hand the fantastic work she is doing to build interfaith connections here in Macclesfield and across surrounding communities.

"Her work brings people together, breaks down barriers, and helps create a stronger, more united community.

"I am delighted that Hello Buddy has secured this funding, which will help them reach even more people and continue making a real difference locally."

Since launching, Hello Buddy has engaged over 1,700 children hosting more than 100 events (Credit: Supplied)

The Common Ground Award forms part of the government's wider commitment to empowering communities, alongside the Pride in Place programme, which is investing £5.8 billion in neighbourhoods across the UK.

This investment is designed to back local organisations that are tackling division, social isolation and the pressures facing communities, including the rising cost of living. Projects funded range from community hubs and kitchens to sports, cycling, gardening and cultural initiatives.

Minister for Communities, Miatta Fahnbulleh, said: "I've seen first-hand the extraordinary work being done up and down the country to bring people together - creating spaces where new friendships form and communities grow stronger.

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"This funding backs those organisations to keep doing what they do best: building the bridges that help people find their common ground, forge new bonds, and make their communities more resilient as a result."