A CHARITY working with disadvantaged children and young people in Bracknell Forest will be awarded tens of thousands of pounds from BBC Children in Need.

Promise Inclusion (formerly Mencap Wokingham, Bracknell & Districts) will use a three-year grant of £59,304 to provide support sessions (currently held via Zoom) and activities for siblings of children with disabilities and young people.

Funding will provide a space where young people can improve their overall wellbeing, through a range of fun activities and make new positive friendship groups.

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The new funding award - made possible following BBC Children in Need’s 2019 Appeal in November - will support the delivery of vital services to young people in the area and means that the charity now has more than £78,000 invested locally.

Mary Durman, CEO at Promise Inclusion said: “We are delighted to receive new funding from BBC Children in Need and can’t wait to put the funds to work!

"Funding means we can provide young people with a space where they can feel included, build resilience and let off steam.”

Speaking of the new grants, Elizabeth Myers, Head of Impact (South and North) at BBC Children in Need said: “During these difficult times we are proud to support projects and local charities that provide a safe and positive environment for children and young people.

"At BBC Children in Need we are committed to improving the lives of vulnerable young people right across the UK, and it’s projects like this that continue to make a difference in the local community.”

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Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive of BBC Children in Need, said: “During these exceptional times I am delighted to be awarding funding which will positively impact young lives when they need it most.

"An enormous thank you must go to our incredible supporters, without whom these grants simply wouldn’t be possible.”

In addition to these grants, BBC Children in Need has launched two dedicated COVID-19 Response Programmes, following The Big Night In appeal on April 23, which brought BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief together for the first time.

These new grant programmes have been developed in response to the current crisis to support local charities and organisations across the UK who are providing essential help to children and young people in urgent need of support and funding has already begun to be distributed.