Four Dorset charities have been given a huge funding boost by BBC Children in Need to support work with disadvantaged children and young people.

The national charity has awarded a total of £196,609 in funding to four local groups bringing the total currently invested in the area to over £1million.

Juliet Williams, BBC Children in Need Regional Officer of the South and West said: “Our grant programme is open to organisations that are as passionate about making a real and tangible impact to young lives as we are. 

“We are so pleased to award funding to projects working across Dorset, and look forward to seeing the difference that their work will make in the lives of the children who need it most.” 

One funding recipient was MOSAIC - Supporting Bereaved Children, which was awarded £89,482 over the next three years to fund counselling and activities for children and young people who have experienced loss. 

They provide access to one to one counselling, and the opportunity for children to attend residential weekends where they can meet others their age who have also experienced bereavement. 

Weymouth and Portland charity, the YOU Trust received £29,946 for its work with families affected by domestic violence. 

The grant will help fund an intensive family worker who will focus on improving child and parent relationships, and particularly address violent behaviour from child to parent. 

The Dorchester Opportunity Group, which provides support activities for disabled children in their early years, was awarded a three-year grant of £29,991.

The grant will help fund two play workers who will deliver targeted, one to one support to help build children’s confidence, improve their communication skills and enable them to interact positively with adults and peers. 

Bournemouth’s Home-Start South East Dorset also received £47,190 to provide group sessions for vulnerable children under the age of five and their families. 

The grants were announced as BBC Children in Need celebrates a record-breaking total of £60m raised during the charity’s 2016 appeal. 

The money goes towards projects that work with children and young people who are affected by a range of disadvantages including those affected by homelessness, neglect, deprivation and poverty or young people who are encountering a serious illness or bereavement. 

Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive of BBC Children in Need said: “These grants would not have been possible had it not been for the incredible support shown across the UK in 2016. 

"To everyone who fundraised and donated in 2016, thank you, the money raised really will go on to make a huge difference to children and young people throughout the UK who need it most.”