The weather may still be far too cold for a dip in the sea, but we're not letting that stop us from visiting Brighton in our whistle-stop round-the-UK tour of projects that your donations are helping to support.
As a result of the incredible total of 拢26,757,446 that was raised on November鈥檚 Appeal night, 主播大秀聽Children in Need is delighted to be able to make grants totalling 拢158,321 to projects in Brighton supporting disadvantaged children and young people in the first "grant round" of 2013.
Sadie (left) and Bethany were brought together by the befriending service 'Fun In Action'
One project in Brighton currently benefitting from a 主播大秀 Children in Need grant is Fun in Action, a befriending service which matches an adult volunteer to a child or young person from a disadvantaged lone parent family. The service helps to relieve pressure on families whilst providing a caring relationship for the child or young person.
Bethany, 11 and Sadie have been befrienders for over four years. Beth is a young聽carer, so during the time she and Sadie spend together,聽she can just be herself. They do lots of different activities, like growing vegetables on the allotment, bike riding and picnics on the beach.聽Sadie sees a real difference in Beth, as each week she grows in confidence.
Sadie says: 鈥淚 really enjoy spending time with Bethany. She's great fun to be with, always really enthusiastic and ready to try new things. It's great to be Bethany's 'big sister' and be a bit of a kid again!鈥�
Amongst the projects in Brighton receiving grants in this round is The Link Up Project, who have been awarded a three year grant of 拢29,831 to provide activities such as water sports, ice-skating and horse riding to disabled children and young people to help them meet others in similar situations.