WHETHER it is a cupcake sale, fancy dress day or slipping into a baked bean bath, thousands of pounds is raised across the town every year for Children in Need.

But who in Warrington benefits from residents’ fundraising efforts?

The Warrington Guardian spoke to some of the charity users and grateful causes who have welcomed funding from the £31.1m raised nationally last November.

REMEMBER the name Jack Tate.

Because come the 2022 Paralymipcs the Lower Walton youngster hopes to star in the GB wheelchair basketball team after being set on the path thanks to Children in Need funding.

The 12-year-old, who got involved with the sport thanks to Warrington Disability Partnership, found out on his birthday earlier this month he had been selected for the north west team and said he was delighted all his hard work and training had paid off.

The Middlewich High pupil, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy aged two, said: “I just kept shouting ‘I’m in the team’.

“I love playing basketball because it’s fast and exciting.”

Dad Simon, aged 38, said: “It’s a really good experience and we have met so many fantastic people.

“We came to the first few sessions and could see he had a good eye for passing and his confidence has really increased.

“If it wasn’t for Children in Need we wouldn’t be any where near where we are today and it’s about more people knowing groups and grants are available.

“We’re going to make sure we get to the 2022 Paralympics as Jack knows how important it is to work hard and grab any opportunities.”

Warrington Disability Partnership, based on Beaufort Street, has received more than £59,000 in Children in Need funding to support sports clubs for disabled children.

Rachael Hanlon, disability sport development officer, said: “Before the funding, there was no where in Warrington for wheelchair basketballers to play.

“Often disabled children will be transported or picked up to and from school so this is about community involvement and giving them more opportunities.”

The project exceeded projection in its first year with sessions which improve players’ confidence but are also about having fun.

Rachael added: “We work at entry level with our team Wizards as the first step into the sport and then they can move on to club sport where they can be nurtured.

“It’s about making a difference to their lives and in the future we’re hoping there will be even more opportunities coming up in things like disabled swimming.”

ONE of the latest grants to be awarded is Warrington Wolves Foundation project Wolfprint dance class.

The charity was awarded £63,756 to support a range of visual, performing arts workshops for children and young people with disabilities including dance, art, rugby, football and tennis sessions.

Tailored for children aged four plus with disabilities and additional needs, the weekly class aims to develop the children’s creativity, confidence and mobility while having fun and making friends.

Activities take place afterschool, evenings, weekends and during the holidays while Wolfprint classes are every Saturday from 11am to 12pm at the Pyramid.

For more information contact Leah on 248894 or e-mail leahbiddle@wolvesfoundation.com.

A CHARITY supporting people under 18 who are at risk of suicide said the generosity of Children in Need was ‘vital’.

Based on Bewsey Street, Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide were awarded more than £98,000 to maintain and extend confidential helpline Hope Line UK for teens who feel they are not coping, turned to self-harm or have suicidal thoughts.

Ged Flynn, chief executive of Papyrus, said: “We are now starting the second year of a three-year grant and have been able to extend our telephone helpline hours and provide additional resources to respond with support and advice to the increasing number of text and e-mail requests for help from young people, since we added these services a year ago.”

BUILDING confidence and self-esteem is the aim of Warrington Youth Club’s ‘Buddy Up’ project.

The scheme, which supports disabled young people to attend regular social activities with the support of their peers, is based at the Peace Centre in Great Sankey and was handed more than £87,000 of Children in Need cash.

A spokesman said: “Young people are trained and supported to become buddies through our 12 week volunteer development programme.

“The majority of young people that use Buddy Up have little independence and if they socialise they have to be supported by an adult. “Buddies support young people in their communities by assisting them to attend local clubs such as scouts, socialise in the town centre with their peers, access leisure centres and cinema or bowling in a similar way to their peers.”

THE Relationships Centre, based on Sankey Street, provides ‘fun, innovative life experience’ programmes for 40 disadvantaged youngsters who have ‘very few fun memories’.

The cause was awarded more than £87,000 for the project which provides skills for independence, including learning to cook, and skills for future employment.

WOMAN’S Aid work with families that have been affected by domestic abuse and were granted more than £33,000.

A spokesman added: “Children are guided and awareness raised of what behaviour is acceptable and what is not from anyone they come into contact with, equipping the children to form better relationships in their lives both now and in the future.”

OUR Warrington Guardian charity of the year Home-Start offers support and friendship for families in Warrington and were handed more than £29,000 of Children in Need funding.

As previously reported in the Warrington Guardian earlier this year, Cheshire Down’s Syndrome Support Group has also gone from strength to strength thanks to the support of Children in Need and have been looking for new premises in Warrington after receiving more than £12,000 of funding.