THREE groups in Bradford have been awarded a total of almost £80,000 to fund three projects working with disadvantaged children and young people across the district.

The money has been granted by BBC Children in Need as part of its small grants programme, taking the total the charity has invested in the district to more than £2.2 million.

The three recipients of the money – a total of £79,192 – are the Highfield Community Association, Horton Park Primary School, and Exceed Extended Services.

Highfield Community Association, based in Drewry Road, Keighley, is the biggest recipient, being granted £29,932 over three years to deliver a support programme for teenage girls living in areas of deprivation.

It will provide social, emotional and mental health support and provide early intervention support providing the girls with positive role models to encourage them to develop their skills and reach their potential.

It will run twice a week, and girls on the programme will also be able to enjoy a two-day residential trip.

Horton Park Primary School, in Canterbury, will receive £29,280 over three years to deliver a school holiday playscheme for children living in areas of high deprivation.

It will run various activities led by specialist teachers, such as arts, music, sport, drama and cooking.

The playscheme is aimed at boosting children’s confidence, self-esteem and resilience, and developing academic skills such as reading, writing, performance and presentation skills.

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Naveed Mushtaque, co-ordinator at the school, said: “It’s great news to hear that we’ve been awarded with this new funding. It will enable us to provide inclusive, fun and creative activities for children in our community that will really benefit from our support.”

A grant of £19,980 has been handed to Exceed over the next two years to deliver school holiday clubs and a Saturday football club for disadvantaged children and young people from marginalised communities.

It is hoped the project will have a positive effect on children, offering them a safe environment to play and develop new skills, develop their physical and emotional wellbeing, improve confidence and self-esteem, and provide opportunities for young people which they may not normally be able to access.

Isabel Farnell, regional head of North at BBC Children in Need, said: “We’re delighted to have awarded another round of grants for 2018.

“With this new funding Highfield Community Association, EXCEED and Horton Park Primary School will be able to make a tangible difference to disadvantaged children and young people’s lives.”

Simon Antrobus, chief executive of Children in Need, added: “We’re delighted to be able to award these grants, thanks to the generosity of the British public. This funding will help to support disadvantaged children and young people right across the UK, giving them the chance to reach their full potential.”

l To apply for a grant from the charity, visit bbc.co.uk/pudsey/grants.