Charity set for £30,000 boost

Autism project will benefit young

A group working with disadvantaged children and young people across South Lanarkshire has received a cash boost.

REACH Lanarkshire Autism SCIO has been awarded £30,000 from the BBC’s Children In Need.

The funding is to continue providing youth clubs in East Kilbride, Hamilton and Cambuslang for children and young people on the autism spectrum.

The project will provide an engaging safe space for children and young people to flourish, take part in activities and try new things.

Through attending the project the children and young people have fun, make friends, grow in confidence and develop new skills.

This funding brings the total amount of BBC Children In Need cash invested in South Lanarkshire to more than £690,000.

Kim Jones, chair at REACH Lanarkshire Autism SCIO, said: “The new funding from BBC Children in Need will enable us to continue and grow our youth club offering across South Lanarkshire for children and young people on the autism spectrum.

“BBC Children in Need has been funding us since 2016 and the new grant will help us to continue to fund sessional workers to support the children and young people we work with.

“Being able to provide more staff means that we can invite more children and young people to the sessions which help them have fun and encourage them to build friendships.”

Florence Burke, BBC Children in Need’s national head for Scotland, said: “Thanks to the money raised in support of BBC Children in Need, projects like REACH Lanarkshire Autism SCIO will go on to make a difference to children and young people experiencing disadvantage across South Lanarkshire.

“The new grant round means there is currently over £17 million allocated to 314 projects working in communities right here in Scotland.

“Thank you to everyone who made this possible.”