Pudsey gives three groups a cash boost

THREE charities have been awarded more than £196,000 between them to fund vital community projects for young people in the area.
Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Cllr David Fuller on the receiving end of a penalty kick by Jack Hindle at a Pompey in the Community event this summer 

Picture: Keith Woodland (160946-051)Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Cllr David Fuller on the receiving end of a penalty kick by Jack Hindle at a Pompey in the Community event this summer 

Picture: Keith Woodland (160946-051)
Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Cllr David Fuller on the receiving end of a penalty kick by Jack Hindle at a Pompey in the Community event this summer Picture: Keith Woodland (160946-051)

Counselling service Off The Record has received another lifeline after it was awarded £60,801 as part of the BBC Children in Need grant.

The free counselling service, which is based in Leigh Park and Fratton, was on the brink of closure in 2014 after it had funding cuts from Portsmouth City Council and Hampshire County Council.

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However, the 39-year-old group managed to get into a stronger financial position after making several successful funding applications to trusts. Now, this three-year grant will allow the service to continue to carry out its vital work specifically for young carers under the age of 18 in the area.

In total, £196,385 was given from Children in Need to three organisations in the area for their work with disadvantaged children and young people.

Pompey in the Community was awarded £70,800, and Learning Links received a two-year grant of £64,784.

The funds to Learning Links will help improving children’s relationships with their parents and minimiseconflict within the home.

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CEO of Learning Links Grant Kennedy said: ‘We were absolutely thrilled when we found out we were awarded the grant.

‘This money will allow us to keep our services running for a longer period of time, and help enhance our products to give an even better service.’

Pam Bacon, BBC Children in Need Regional Officer for the south and west, said: ‘We are incredibly pleased to award a grant to Off The Record, Learning Links and Pompey in the Community for their work, and cannot wait to see the difference that the funding will make to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the local area.

‘Of course, none of our grants would be possible without the continued support of our fundraisers and everyone who donates to the charity each year.

‘Thanks to your generosity, children and young people all over the UK will have a brighter future.’