BBC Children in Need distributes £14.8 million to projects working with disadvantaged children and young people across the UK

BBC Children in Need is delighted to announce today that £14.8 million has been awarded in grants to 422 projects across the UK which will have a direct impact on the lives of disadvantaged children and young people.

This spring allocation is the first of three rounds of grants that will be made this year, and will reach more than 96,000 children across the UK. The money is also supporting, and in some cases creating, hundreds of jobs for youth and charity workers.

Following the Appeal night last November, which raised a record-breaking total of £20,991,216, BBC Children in Need has received additional donations from fundraisers, schools and businesses from all across the UK.

Thousands of fundraisers across the country "did something different", including cake sales in the office, talent contests at school, sponsored cycles and, the eye-watering, back, chest, arm and leg wax!

Since November, the BBC charity has received thousands of applications for funding. These are rigorously assessed and considered by eight committees who pass on their recommendations to the Trustees of the charity.

Every project that receives a grant from BBC Children in Need works with children and young people who may be affected by homelessness, neglect, abuse or poverty, or those who are living with a serious illness, disability or psychological disorder.

All of the grants are targeted to areas where they will make a real difference and are allocated geographically to ensure that all corners of the UK receive a share of the money raised.

The average amount awarded to a project this round is £35,153 with grants ranging in size from £600 to the largest single grant of £182,683.

David Ramsden, Chief Executive of BBC Children in Need says " 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."

For a list of April 2009 grants, by region, please see: bbc.co.uk/pudsey/charity/grants

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