A CHARITY set up to provide respite care and short breaks for young people from across the North-East is celebrating a cash windfall.

Tesco Bank presented Grace House North East, based in Southwick, Sunderland, with a cheque for £25,287 following a year of fundraising.

The charity had been selected by employees of Tesco Bank’s Newcastle office to be their official charity partner for 2015-16 and their mission had been to raise £20,000.

Staff took part in volunteering and fundraising throughout the year to raise £20,878. In addition, Tesco PLC topped up their fundraising by £4,400.

Grace House is a purpose-built children and young person facility offering respite care for young people with complex disabilities, health needs and life-limiting conditions.

Therese Procter, Chief People Officer at Tesco Bank, said: “Our people at Tesco Bank are passionate about making a different in the communities where we live and work.

“Grace House North East was chosen because our colleagues really understand the value of the work that the charity does to support families. We have loved visiting Grace House throughout the year to see how our fundraising has been helping.

“It has been very inspiring seeing every child having so much fun, supported by an amazing team. We’re delighted we were able to contribute to the fantastic work they do there.”

Dr Karen Parry, chief executive officer of Grace House, said: "We were thrilled to have been chosen as Tesco Bank Charity of The Year in Newcastle.

"It has been an incredible journey working with the Tesco Bank team and we have been overwhelmed by their enthusiasm and energy and the many creative ideas they came up with to raise much needed funds."