A TEESSIDE charity that has helped nearly 6,000 vulnerable children has received a $25,000 (£15,500) windfall after its founder was shortlisted for the next stage of an international award.

Jon Burns, of Eaglescliffe, set up Lionsraw a decade ago and it has since evolved into a movement that mobilises football fans to have an impact on people’s lives in cities hosting major tournaments.

As a result, Mr Burns reached the top ten of the 2014 CNN Hero award, an accolade organised by the global news network to recognise everyday people who are working to make the world a better place.

Lionsraw has received a grant of $25,000 as a result, and the father-of-two is now in a global public vote alongside the other finalists to be named CNN Hero of the Year.

The winner, which will be announced on December 7, will then receive an additional $100,000 (£62,000) for their respective causes.

Mr Burns said: “I believe that this organisation I started in the North-East is a movement of heroic football fans, which is in turn helping the real heroes - the children in the world who despite all that life throws at them, keep going.

“It is a privilege to lead this revolution of fan culture to create chances for change, locally and globally.”

During the last World Cup in Brazil volunteers worked in Curitiba where they helped to build an education centre in deprived favela Cajuru.