DISADVANTAGED North-East families are set to receive thousands of pounds worth of financial support towards charitable projects.

Donations made to BBC Children in Need will be brought to the region with £29,700 going towards The Link Charitable Trust to run activity groups for youngsters whose families are living with mental health issues.

The Redcar-based trust will receive the grant over a three-year period and has been earmarked to provide awareness raising workshops and advice and guidance to young people in need of emotional support.

Ian Swales, chair of trustees at The Link Charitable Trust, said: “We’re really pleased to have been awarded with this funding from BBC Children in Need.

“Over the next three years we’ll be able to provide vital support to some of the most vulnerable children and young people, and their families, in our community.”

Around £300,000 has been invested into the Redcar and Cleveland area as part of the Children in Need’s Small Grants programme.

Isabel Farnell, BBC Children in Need regional head of the north, said: “It’s always a pleasure to award funding to projects such as The Link Charitable Trust that are making a tangible difference to children and young people in Redcar.

“The competition for our grants is always extremely high, but their application really demonstrated the impact that they would have on the young people that need it most in the local area.”