Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

The Seaham Youth Initiative received the biggest single grant in the country made up of your donations from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Children in Need appeal.

Other causes that will be benefiting from a share of over Β£300,000 in our area include: DawdonΜύYouth and Community Centre, the A690 Youth Initiative in Sunderland and the Sherburn Road Community Action Partnership Ltd in Durham.

The Seaham Youth Initiative was awarded Β£144,130 along with the Seaham SANDS project with an additional Β£50,059.

Pudsey visits Seaham

Emma Harrison works at the Seaham SANDS project and explains more about what they do for the young people of Seaham.

Emma said: "We provide an opportunity for young people to meet here on a Wednesday night, to help young people socialise and to participate in activities which they wouldn't normally do at home."

Building confidence

Your donations will benefit over 50 young people aged 12 to 19 who will use the service. Emma was delighted that they could now continue the youth sessions which run every Wednesday evening and sometimes on Saturday.

Emma said: "I was amazed, it was brilliant news and it gives us the chance to continue activities here for another three years.

"The money helps us to pay for minibus hire to get the young people to the youth centre. It will provide us with trips away and help build the confidence of young people.

"It will also allow us for the first time to plan ahead rather than worrying about money all the time."