A CHESTER-LE-STREET charity that helps disabled youngsters lead a fuller life will benefit from the fundraising of a property and energy firm.

Staff at the Durham-based Banks Group have chosen Integrating Children as their charity of the year.

Integrating Children offers more than 10,000 hours of activity a year to up to 100 children and young people with physical disabilities and learning difficulties.

Procurement co-ordinator Lucy Hinds nominated the charity as her younger brother Rob is helped by the charity.

She said: “Rob has been attending Integrating Children's activities for a number of years, and I have seen the positive impact that the charity's support has had on him.

"Rob is a typical 15-year-old boy in so many ways and doesn’t want to spend all his time with family, but he doesn’t get the opportunities to go out with friends as others do.

"The charity enables him to do many of the activities that we take for granted with other young people whilst being supported by an amazing team of professional staff .

“I really don’t know what we would have done without their care and support over the years."

Banks Employees will raise money through workplace lunches, raffles and competitions.

Richard Taylor, Chair of Integrating Children, said: “Often people do not realise just how isolating life can be for a child with learning difficulties.

“In partnership with many local organisations, Integrating Children helps local disabled children to enjoy a real social life in their community.

“To be supported by the Banks Group is so wonderful. It will allow our services to continue to offer support seven days a week, 50 weeks a year.”

Visit www.integratingchildren.co.uk for more on the charity.