BBC Children in Need has launched its 2021 fundraising appeal – Together, We Can - and is calling on supporters across West Yorkshire to help make a difference.

Across West Yorkshire BBC Children in Need has provided £4.5 million to fund 67 projects.

To launch the campaign a Censuswide poll has shed light on the impact the past 18 months had on children and young people across the UK.

The survey of 1,008 parents and 1,000 children and young people reveals:

• Nearly three quarters (73%) of parents worry about the impact of the pandemic on their children. In addition, 73% of parents believe children and young people will be worse off as a result of the pandemic while 77% of parents believe children and young people are facing greater disadvantages because of the pandemic.

• One in three children (33%) feel their lives have become worse over the past 18 months.

• Just over one in five (22%) children and young people often feel sad , one in three (35%) often feel anxious and one in three (36%)often feel worried about their future.

• Over 70% of parents underestimated the number of children and young people living in poverty in the UK.

• Two-thirds of parents (67%) believe it is difficult to get support for children's mental health issues and over half (52%) believe it is too difficult to get support for a disabled child.

• Just over one in five (23%) parents worry every day about being able to provide for their family.

• Over one in three parents (38%) surveyed do not have any savings in case of an emergency or an unexpected bill or expense