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Who you've helped

Jack's story

The Bubble Foundation Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Newcastle-upon-Tyne General Hospital treats and supports babies and children with immune-deficient conditions, by bone marrow transplantation. Jack's mum remembers: "Jack was excited at the prospect of having a laptop so he could talk to his friends. It also enabled him to continue with his school work whilst undergoing his bone marrow transplant which meant he had to be in total isolation for ten weeks."

British Transplant Games

The British Transplant Games organised each year by Transplant Sport UK is a fantastic project which has been receiving BBC Children in Need funding for the last three years. Transplant Sport UK was set up in 1978 by a transplant surgeon who believed that adults and children who had undergone extensive surgery for an organ transplant could take part in sports with the right after care. The games are also a way of demonstrating their quality of life following transplantation and aims to help promote organ donation. Each year, more than 600 transplanted athletes take part of which over 200 are children plus 200 brothers and sisters. The British Transplant Games are held every year in a different city and this year the money they received £23,00 from BBC Children in Need helped 400 children to take part in the Games in Sheffield.

Read about some of the children who took part this year:

• Charlie Churms, aged seven, Rotherham - Charlie had a liver transplant at St James Hospital in 2005. This was her first time at the Games and she entered track and field events.
• Samuel Barron, aged eight, Bramley, Leeds - Samuel has had a kidney transplant and took part in the table tennis, ball throw, long jump and 50 metre dash at this year's Games.
• James Muster, aged 15, West Yorkshire - James had a liver transplant in 2006 and took part in the swimming this year.
• Peter Murray, aged 16, Sheffield - Peter had a kidney transplant in May 1995 and has competed in both the British and World Games since then, winning bronze in the 2007 World Transplant Games in Thailand.

BBC Children in Need has helped children and young people across the UK. Here are some other examples by region.

Exeter

The League of Friends of Honeylands Children's Centre uses music therapists to work with children like Keir. She is three and lives with visual impairment and a complex medical condition which includes a severe hormone imbalance. Keir's dad explains: "Music Therapy at Honeylands has helped with the development of his motor skills - learning to move with actions to Row Your Boat."

Aberdeen

The Aberdeen Foyer organises music workshops for children and young people living in isolated, deprived areas. They provide access to instrument tuition, songwriting, sound engineering and more. "The best bit so far has been playing the gig down at the Broadgate in front of my friends and family," says Jamie, aged 12.

Boston

Action for Young Carers, part of Carers Federation Ltd, offers Life Skills courses to young carers like Jade. She is 14 and cares for her dad who lives with schizophrenia. The courses help to develop coping strategies for stress, as well as skills such as first aid, personal safety and cookery. The focus is on having fun whilst learning and meeting children in similar situations. Jade says: "When I'm feeling upset I get my AYC Life Skills certificate out, remember what we did on the course and it makes me feel better."

Jersey

Harry is 17 and has been a member of Jersey Special Gymnastics Club for eight years. Harry has Down's Syndrome and initially he joined the club for fun but the sport has taught him the dedication to get the most out of life. He is a great gymnast, having competed at the Special Olympics World Games in October 2007 as part of the Great Britain team. Harry says: "My favourite is the rings. The high bar is a bit scary."

Hull

Kayleigh is 12 and lives in a deprived area of Hulland with six brothers and two sisters. She enjoys playing outside with the Child Dynamix Play Rangers after school "because they are great fun and I can make new mates".

Smethwick

The Central Africa Refugee charity, Care Link West Midlands, runs a homework club for children from families of asylum seekers and refugees. When Morisho, 13, arrived in the UK he felt disadvantaged at school because he didn't understand the language. Thanks to the homework club he says: "Now there are subjects I understand better than ever before."

London

The Mousetrap Foundation for the Arts boosts the confidence of visually impaired children by organising workshops around mainstream theatre productions. Rosie, 18, is pictured here "enjoying every second" of the prop handling session and touch tour for Billy Elliot. Rosie says: "I've had a huge vibe to start tap-dancing and ballet."

Cardinal Hume Centre provides a range of services to young people and families who are socially excluded and living in inappropriate and/or temporary housing.

Carmarthenshire

Carmarthenshire Youth and Children's Association run an after-school holistic club offering aromatherapy and massage sessions to children,which help to reduce challenging behaviour. Robbie, ten, says: "I've learned to keep my anger in and to try and calm myself down."

Rugby

Circles Network introduces children with cerebral palsy, autism and behavioural difficulties to horses to build confidence and help develop a sense of empathy for living creatures. Robbie, who is two, enjoys feeling the texture of their hair and listening to the sounds they make. His family say: "He always has a beaming smile when we talk about the horses."

Belfast

The Cregagh Primary School Hearing Impaired Unit offers a programme of musical work with deaf children. Dean is 11 and enjoys music and singing. His confidence has grown with the help of his teachers and professional musicians and Dean says "it has helped make my singing voice more clear". Now he loves to sing at school performances, his favourite part being "when I sang the first verse on my own, I really enjoyed it".

The Community Sports Development Network arranges subsidised Multi Sports Camps for children aged 7-14 from disadvantaged areas. Nathan says: "I like the sports outside, but not when it rains!!"

Pentrebach

Darian, aged 15, lives with cerebral palsy and experiences learning difficulties. At Bridging The Gap he is always helping out and making snacks for the other young people. He enjoys it so much he would like to work there one day! Project manager Christine explains: "We are hoping to train him in food hygiene, first aid etc, thus preparing him for his transition into adulthood."

Skelmersdale

Twinkle House offers a state of the art multi-sensory studio and soft play facility for children and young people with special needs and also for their carers.

Warrington

Jacob's Unique Memory Pot (J.U.M.P.) works to capture moments in the lives of children with life-limiting illnesses to provide happy memories for them and their families. James, aged nine, is living with a rare blood disorder and growth problems. J.U.M.P. recorded James's baptism and his mum says that he always asks to watch the DVD as it "brings the biggest smile to James's face".

Hereford

Close House runs an open access drop-in centre for young people, many of whom have been socially excluded. Saffie-Lou says: "I enjoy coming to Close House cos it's always friendly and it's a good escape."

Polperro

Polperro Pre-school Playgroup provides play facilities in an isolated area to allow children to learn and develop social skills with their peers.

Inverclyde

The Ladybird Pre-5 Centre provides activities, creative arts and sports for children to raise aspirations and develop their enthusiasm at a young age.