ALMOST £68,000 will be donated to a Brierley Hill charity as BBC Children in Need announces its first round of 2017 funding.

Waterfront-based cause Home-Start Dudley, which provides in-home support to children up to the age of five-years-old living in areas of deprivation throughout the borough, has been given a funding boost of £67,982.

Through the child-focussed support, Home-Start Dudley aims to raise the children’s confidence, increase their communication and language skills, and building their skills ahead of starting school.

Mary Turner, charity chairman, said: “The team at Home-Start Dudley are delighted to once again secure funding.

“Children in Need has been funding Home-Start Dudley for a number of years, and to secure funding for another three years really will go on to make a huge difference to disadvantaged young lives in Dudley.

“Preparing children for school, and building their skills sets will go on to impact their future, and will support them to reach their full potential.”

Children in Need award grants at seven points during the year and funds two types of grants, both of which are open to new or existing applicants.

Melinda Connelly, BBC Children in Need’s regional head of the central region, said: “We are delighted to be announcing the first allocation of funding for 2017.

“All of the projects we fund work to make a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people, and projects like Home-Start Dudley really will go on to change young lives in the area.”

Projects working children and young people facing any kind of disadvantage can find out how to apply for funding at www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/grants