SEVEN charities and community groups have won the financial support.

Story Homes has agreed to back Sedgefield School Sports Partnership, Headway Darlington and District, Longhoughton Rangers FC, North Shields AFC Juniors, One Step Forward, Ryton and Crawcrook Albion FC and Sedgefield Community College.

All had applied to the company's Future Story scheme which provides sponsorship or donations near its developments in Cumbria, south Scotland, the North East and the North West.

Project include a bereavement programme, improvements to student facilities, new kit and equipment for youth sports teams, and fundraising for the Hats for Headway project that supports those with brain injuries.

A contribution will also be made to the Sedgefield Dash event, which will take place in June and involves a number of schools.

Ian Worgan, managing director for Story Homes in the North East, said: “The homes we build are part of wider communities, so helping charities and groups that neighbour our developments is very important to us. We endeavour to support in ways that add long term value, and we are proud of our role in building sustainable communities.

“It is great to be able to help another seven organisations this quarter, all of which are doing fantastic work in a variety of fields."