A CHARITY to support disadvantaged young people is being set up in Derwentside.

The Shotley Park Children's Fund is being created to help youngsters with learning disabilities, autism and terminal illness.

It is being formed by staff at Shotley Park Care Home in Shotley Bridge, near Consett.

The fund will be administered by the County Durham Foundation.

Grants of up to £500 will be distributed to families to help with essential equipment, training and services that are not provided by other organisations.

Manager Vanessa Eccles said: "We feel that because we are a caring organisation, we wanted to give something back to the community.

"The specific groups we have chosen to help are because staff have a personal involvement and experience in dealing with them.

"As in any crisis situation, families dealing with children with problems are faced with stress and pressure.

"We would like the fund to provide some relief and support for these families at a critical time in their lives."

The fund is being started with money raised from a barbecue at the care home on Saturday, August 19, from 7.30pm.

There will be live entertainment from Mustang and The Grey Area, and auction of signed sports equipment, tombolas and games.

Mrs Eccles said: "We hope people will come along because it will be a great evening and it is for a fantastic cause."

The barbecue is being supported by Barclays Bank staff in Consett, and the employer has pledged to match whatever they raise.

The home expects the event to bring in between £8,000 and £10,000. Half will be donated to the children's fund and donated to Willowburn Hospice via the Rotary Club of Consett.

Foundation chairman Gillian Stacey said: "There is a real need for this support in the Derwentside area. People can apply for anything that is not provided for them statutorily, but we will have to assess individual applications.

"This service is open to all sections of the community is there to help people from all backgrounds."

Tickets for the barbecue cost £15 and can be booked by calling (01207) 505052.