PUDSEY Bear is helping youngsters take to the road for work and tuition.

A scheme that provides scooter transport for young people seeking work and tuition has been given a £58,000 boost from Children in Need.

In the week that the country will dig deep for the charity during its TV marathon, the Northallerton-based Wheels 2 Work project has announced it has become one of the latest beneficiaries.

Run by the Northallerton and District Voluntary Service Association, Wheels 2 Work helps people access jobs, training and education by providing mopeds where there is no suitable alternative transport.

The £58,000 grant – which will be paid over the next three years – will fund part of the Wheels 2 Work Co-ordinators salary and some project costs.

“The funding from Children in Need will go a long way to ensuring that this life-changing service continues to provide young people in the area with that vital stepping stone to employment,” said co-ordinator, Keith McDonnell.

“It will make a massive difference to us – and we hope being Pudsey week the people of our districts will dig deep and raise as much money as possible for Children in Need.”

Launched in 2001 Wheels 2 Work is provided for the districts of Hambleton, Richmondshire, Harrogate and Craven. It has since helped more than a thousand people get their foot on the jobs ladder – and more than 90 per cent of people leave the scheme with a job or training place and a means of getting there such as their own scooter or car.