BBC’s Children in Need doles out more than £125,000 in Shetland

The BBC Children in Need campaign has handed out over £125,000 to young people across Shetland over the last year and a half.

The grants comprised £75,284 to Voluntary Action Shetland, £26,728 to the Shetland Arts Development Agency and £23,036 to Disability Shetland.

The cash for Voluntary Action Shetland was used to support a number of projects, including the Shetland Befriending Scheme, which pairs up adults with young people for support, guidance and friendship; grants for children for welfare needs; and grants for children to go on activities and trips to the mainland.

The Shetland Arts grant is being used for a pilot restorative justice project to work with young people who have committed offences.

The Disability Shetland cash comprised a one-off payment of £9,738 for Unst and the North Mainland, being used to run activities for young people with disabilities in more remote parts of the isles, and a larger grant of £13,298 towards the salary of a young people’s co-ordinator, who will run activities and clubs for young people with disabilities.

Head of BBC Children in Need in Scotland Fraser Falconer said every year Shetlanders dug deep and were generous with their support for the appeal.

He said: “Each year we have a number of  quality applications to help children in need across the islands. We’re very pleased to announce that over the last 18 months we’ve awarded grants to the value of £125,000. Any groups who think they might benefit from our funding should get in touch with the BBC’s Children in Need office in Glasgow.”

Radio Shetland station manager John Johnston said the appeal was the annual highlight for the BBC in Shetland.

“Last year the community raised a staggering £22,000,” he said. “That’s over a pound for every person in the isles. During our six-hour live programme, 13 bands entertained our audience and the auction alone raised over £10,000. We’re looking forward to 19th November this year when we’ll be doing it all again.”