Children and young people across the UK will be supported with £1000 grants from Tesco as part of a new scheme launched.

Thousands of groups and charities across Northern Ireland who support younger people will be able to apply for funding provided by the Bags of Help scheme throughout October, November and December.

Potential organisations who can apply include those supporting mental health, outdoor activities, educational activities, young carers, bereavement counselling, child poverty and vulnerable at risk children.

Since COVID19, the Bags of Help COVID19 Communities Fund has given £4m of support to more than 8,000 charities and groups across the regions affected by the pandemic, each receiving £500 grants for food, resources, and emergency aid.

Tony McElroy, Local Communications Manager for Northern Ireland, said: “Young people have been among those most impacted by the pandemic, with schools closing across the country and many missing out on all important services impacted by lockdown.

“We’re encouraging any group who is working to support children and young people across the UK to apply for the new funding. We hope it can make a real difference to lives of so many around the country.“

The Bags of Help programme, which is run in partnership with community charity Groundwork, has already provided £83m of funding to more than 34,000 community projects across the UK.

Tesco hopes to support over 2,000 projects across the country in October, November and December, with three grants of £1,000 each available in each voting region.

Any local groups that would benefit from this funding are encouraged to apply here online at www.tescobagsofhelp.org.uk