News / £62,000 for Shetland’s Children in Need
THE BBC Children in Need campaign has handed out over £62,000 to young people across Shetland over the last twelve months, three times the amount raised in the local appeal.
The grants include £29,464 to the Shetland Befriending Scheme, £24,927 to Disability Shetland and £7,850 in welfare awards to help buy Christmas presents, clothes and assist with school trips for young disadvantaged children.
The cash for the Shetland Befriending Scheme is used to match young people with additional support needs with a befriender to offer them support and increase their self esteem.
The grant to Disability Shetland is helping young people with a variety of additional needs across Shetland by providing social activities and clubs.
Executive Officer with Voluntary Action Shetland, Catherine Hughson said the welfare grants, although small, make a big difference to children throughout the year.
She also said the funding allocated to the Shetland Befriending Scheme and Disability Shetland was crucial to keep both groups going.
Head of BBC Children in Need in Scotland, Fraser Falconer, said: that the work of the charity was only made possible thanks to the generosity of the BBC’s listeners and viewers.
“This is especially the case in Shetland, where the amazing amount of money raised per head of the population is recognised by all my colleagues in Scotland and across the UK.
“Thank you all for your support and we hope that people will continue to both fundraise and apply for grants for their work with children and young people. Any groups who think they might benefit from our funding should get in touch with the BBC’s Children in Need office in Glasgow.”
Editor of BBC Radio Shetland, John Johnston, said the appeal is one of the highlights for the station at Pitt Lane.
Last year the community raised over £20,000 pounds during the six hour live programme.
He said: “It was great to see over three times the amount of money raised on the night coming back to the Shetland. We’re all looking forward to this year’s appeal on the 18 November.”
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