Edinburgh student charity wins funding from Children In Need

A charity run by Edinburgh students has this month been awarded £2,000 from the BBC's Children In Need.

The Children’s Holiday Venture (CHV) was setup to give young people aged 8-16 a break from their home environment.

Katy Pendry, the Children’s Holiday Venture charity president, said that the sum from Children in Need is “a fantastic contribution and will go a long way”.

CHV, which began as a student society in 1963, now works with approximately 120 children from socially deprived areas of Edinburgh, offering them support in the form of activities such as bowling, swimming and trampolining.

David Ramsden, chief executive of BBC Children in Need said: "We are overwhelmed by the support of people right across the UK as we know that for many people these are difficult times. It is a real tribute to the generosity and commitment of our supporters that we have matched last year's efforts and have £36 million that we can use to make a real difference to many young lives."

The students involved organise weekly outings, camps and daytrips for the children and this involves maintaining two minibuses, which contribute to the Venture’s £40,000 a year running costs. Ordinarily this funding comes from donations and student fundraising.

Children’s Holiday Venture is one of 46 projects in Scotland to receive grants from Children in Need, who are currently distributing the proceeds of their November 2008 appeal night, which raised a record breaking total of £20,991,216.

The BBC charity provides support for children throughout the UK; however, every year funding requests exceed the sum of money raised.