THE head of a North-East children's charity has vowed to support youngsters injured in the Manchester terror attack by donating all the money from his latest fundraiser to two hospitals treating them.

Chris Read, of the A Smile for a Child charity - which raises funds to help disabled children get into sport - will be joined by a team of 14 others running the Manchester Half Marathon and 10k this Sunday.

The 51-year-old said the whole team have agreed to specifically support the Manchester Royal Infirmary and the Manchester Children's Hospital in light of the attack with the hope the money can be used to support youngsters and their families.

Mr Read, of Newton Aycliffe, said: "These terrorist attacks are atrocities in themselves and the attackers are cowards to target an event where there are children.

"I just think it's appalling and obviously because we can give to hospitals through their Friends charities that's what we are doing."

Mr Read, who will be joined by his 19-year-old son Ben Read, said 100 per cent of the money raised, including fees JustGiving would normally take, will be donated.

The team area also planning to have t-shirts made with the slogan Thinking of Mnachester or something similar.

To donated visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Chris-Read17 or asmileforachild.org