Tom – himself now a proud peer mentor at one of their two clubs - is not only dealing with the social and communication difficulties inherent in Asperger Syndrome but faces further education and health challenges. Tom is dyslexic and struggles with co-ordination and inattention, making reading, writing and concentrating through the school day extremely difficult. In addition, Tom has a genetic condition called Neurofibromatosis Type 1, which means that throughout his life, tumours will grow along the nerves inside his body and on his skin. He currently has several tumours in his chest. And while the inspiring teenager continues to cope well with his numerous daily challenges and hospital appointments, Mum Nicky says that before he began attending CATS he had no real social life outside of school. As a result, it has been a lifeline for Tom - and his whole family.

“It is so much more than respite care for the parents and family,” says Nicky. “It’s a place that young people with autism feel part of; where they can have fun, enjoy going to and feel 'normal'.”

CATS and its peer-mentoring programme aims to support as many autistic young people as possible and has been a huge success.

“They identify which areas the teenagers are struggling with, such as communicating with the opposite sex, listening, boundaries and what is appropriate,” explains Nicky. “They explain how to do everyday activities that a 'normal child' would either pick up automatically or would learn from 'hanging out' with friends and peers. These are all things which our autistic children don't pick up and don't do - either because they generally have no friends or because their common sense, safety, or appropriate communication skills are so lacking, they would not be safe doing these things without an adult present.”

CATS guides Tom and his friends in all these key areas whilst making it fun and social so it doesn’t feel like a chore.

CATS founder Wendy says she has seen a huge change in Tom. “Tom has come on brilliantly in the three years I’ve known him in terms of social confidence and independence but the biggest change I’ve seen in him is that he now consistently shows an interest in the thoughts and needs of other people and how to engage appropriately with them."

“So he might now ask his mum about her day rather than expecting just to talk about himself. The positive feedback he gets from this has been a huge boost to his self-esteem.”

Tom is also extremely proud of his job as a mentor at the club, and for the support he receives from his own mentor, Dan. As Nicky admits: “Having a 'cool' teenager to learn from rather than 'mum' - there's no contest!"

A grant from BBC Children in Need, made possible by your donations, funds the costs of running two CATS groups in Reading and Maidenhead.

“If it wasn’t for CATS, Thomas would be playing on his computer at home most of the time and I would be incredibly fearful about his future,” says Nicky. “Last year he turned to me and said: ‘I have a very full life don't I mum?’ For a child who had no life outside of school, apart from trailing around after Mum, this is nothing short of a miracle.”

Supporting BBC Children in Need, no matter how big or small your contribution, makes a real difference to the lives of children and young people right on your doorstep.
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For some children and young people who might not otherwise have that experience, BBC Children in Need currently funds more than 130 organisations that provide school holiday activities or residential weeks and weekends.

One of those is the Music 4 Life project run by Wren Music in Devon.  Staff there use a range of different musical instruments to promote self-confidence, positive communication and behaviour amongst children from two different schools in Barnstaple and Exeter.

Community musicians David and Becki run each session which includes playing instruments, singing, forming a band, composing new music, drumming and song-writing. A grant of £30,624 over three years helps fund their salaries and the cost of some of the instruments.  So children aged between five and 15 get to have a go on the drums, keyboards, squeeze boxes or concertinas, fiddles, autoharps and rare species like the mandolin.

They have weekly sessions during term time and two four-day workshops during school holidays at a local youth club.  But the young people don’t have to have the ability to read music or the skills to play. They have a go at exploring and playing all the different instruments, learning and developing musical skills, learning parts and rhythms that go together like a musical jig, sometimes the music is for listening to and sometimes they even play for a dance! They’re also provided with a healthy snack; they set their own ground rules and often adapt existing songs – like Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’ to make them more relevant to the group.  

Older teenagers Josh and Cody helped out the younger children who soon made a beeline for their favourite instruments, while Alfie amazed everyone with his rapping skills!

Becki said: “One child we have worked with over the three years really struggled to focus in the music sessions and consequently was quite disruptive. His co-ordination was poor and he found it very difficult to remember patterns on the instruments. Over time, he has become a real key player in the group. He now can remember chord sequences on the guitar and when he is taught a new pattern he will sit quietly and practise it until he has perfected it. His rhythm has developed and he always plays in time with the group. He still struggles sometimes with being part of a bigger group but on the whole his concentration seems to have improved immensely and he is confident. He is also quick to praise others for doing well and works really well in a pair. This year he has been taken off the Special Educational Needs register.”

Thank you for helping to support projects like Music 4 Life.

If you'd like to read about more of the projects your money helps to support, visit the Who You Help section on our website.

Thomas’s story

Thomas is eight, and lives with his mum, dad and older brother Morgan. Morgan is 10, and has a very rare condition called Dravet Syndrome, which only affects 150 people in the UK. It means that Morgan has regular seizures, often in his sleep. When he was four, a particularly serious set of seizures caused him to lose all the abilities he’d learnt as a young child. He’s since begun to move and walk again, but he still can’t communicate very well. He has no awareness of speed or danger and so he gets about in a wheelchair to keep him safe. Morgan needs a lot of care, and parents Michele and Robert have to be very watchful.

Thomas cares deeply for Morgan. He knows how to give Morgan his oxygen, how to call for an ambulance and what it means to have a seizure. Thomas knows that sometimes he can’t spend as much time with his parents as he’d like. This means that he has had less time to do the things children his age want to do, but he’s very grown up, and he understands why.

Helen House gives Morgan 14 nights respite care a year, allowing Thomas valuable time with his parents.  They also run residential breaks for the siblings of children being cared for at the hospice and that’s where he met Evie and made other new friends in similar circumstances.

Thomas’ mum Michele was initially wary about seeking support from a hospice, but a visit to Helen House soon changed her mind:

“The word hospice made me apprehensive so it took a year for me to visit, but we watched a DVD about the place and it made me think again. When I went there and saw the children smiling and laughing, I realised that this is the sort of place where anything goes. I vividly remember seeing this one little girl who wanted to dress up as a fairy but she couldn’t because she was in a wheelchair so the costume wouldn’t fit her properly. So the male nurse made her a fairy costume by cutting up something else that was in the dressing up box. It was brilliant. She was able to be a fairy after all.

Where’s there’s normally a ‘no’ from a parent to a child or a ‘we’ll do it tomorrow’, at Helen House they just do it. And siblings in particular get a lot of ‘no, we can’t because your brother can’t do it’ so it’s great for Thomas.”

Evie’s story

Evie’s also eight, and lives with her mum, dad and older sister Mabel. She loves music (she’s particularly fond of a certain boy band!), making things and playing with friends. But recently, she and her family have been through a difficult time after her youngest sister Beatrice, just a year old, died.

When Evie’s mum, Elizabeth, was pregnant, everything seemed fine. When Beatrice was born, however, medical staff soon realised that her brain hadn’t formed properly, and because of this she was partially deaf and blind. Doctors struggled to diagnose her condition. She had to be fed through a tube and was dependent on oxygen. It was clear that Beatrice would need lots of specialist care.

A little later, doctors told the family about Helen & Douglas House. Elizabeth arranged to visit the house for a brief respite; she planned to stay with Beatrice while Mabel and Evie took part in activities organised by the care team. It was at this time that Beatrice, having always been susceptible to chest infections, caught pneumonia, and passed away. She was just under a year old.

Elizabeth said: “After Beatrice died in hospital, we were able to bring her to Helen House and stay with her for seven days while family and friends came and said their goodbyes. Meanwhile, the staff were doing things like our laundry and helping us to make funeral arrangements. We were moving house that week as well so it was an incredibly stressful time. But the care from the staff at Helen House was just amazing. It made saying goodbye a lot more humane and bearable in an unbearable situation.”

Beatrice’s passing had a big effect on Evie and Mabel. The girls had been so excited at the thought of having a little sister to look after, but ended up dealing with something completely different. They both took up the offer of counselling from a support worker, Laura, at Helen House. Laura worked with the girls once a week at their school, also giving them one-to-one support. Mabel and Evie also joined the Elephant Club, a support group for siblings at Helen House. The friends they’ve made there have been an important part of the grieving process for the girls.

Elizabeth told us: “One day, the girls came home from Elephant Club and said to me ‘we met a girl today and she’s got a sister in heaven as well.’  It was great for them to see that they are not alone and that they weren’t to blame for anything.”

A BBC Children in Need grant of £113,000 over three years funds four sibling workers at Helen & Douglas House. For three decades, these hospices have helped children like Evie and Thomas to make sense of their experiences, and to understand that they’re not alone. Your money means that whatever happens, children and families in unimaginable situations will always be able to turn to places like Helen & Douglas House.

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A teenager from Wales: “I fell out with my mum and ran away. But life in a homeless shelter was much tougher than I’d imagined. BBC Children in Need paid for a support worker who helped me work things out. Now I’m reconciled with my mum.”

A parent from Northern Ireland: “My little boy is going to a mainstream school in September and this would not have been possible without the help of the organisation that’s helped him learn to communicate.”

Annie, Project Leader at White Lodge Trust in Surrey: “I would do this job even if I wasn’t paid. But the small grant we receive makes such a difference. We support disabled children holistically but it’s often such a struggle for their parents to cope with the exhaustion and all the hospital appointments, that they reach breaking point. They might come to us feeling desperate but they always leave laughing.”

Wendy, Project Leader at Speech, Sign and Song, Nottingham: “The funding is vital – we wouldn’t exist without it. We were about to shut down and tell all our children and parents that we were closing, and then we were awarded our grant. The sessions mean so much to so many families - it was an incredible relief for everyone.” 

Lily, 11-year-old at The Outlook Trust for the Visually Impaired, Yorkshire: “I only have about 10% sight. This means it’s harder for me to do everyday things and sometimes I miss out on taking part in sports. It can be tough being different to other young people. Sometimes I get tired of being left out. I started going away for weekends with The Outlook Trust where I got to do loads of different activities that I wouldn’t normally have thought possible. I’ve been sailing, rafting, canoeing and camping. I never feel like the odd one out, and they’ve shown me I can do anything! Thanks to everyone who donated!"

Katie, teenager at Barking & Dagenham Progress Project, Essex: “I have Williams’ Syndrome which means it can take me longer to do everyday things, and I need a bit more support and understanding. It was hard for me to go along to youth clubs because not everyone understood I needed more support, so I spent most of my time at home. Then someone invited me to Barking & Dagenham Progress Project. It made me really happy! Now I’m always out and about and have got loads of friends. It’s the best place ever! Thanks to everyone for giving money to BBC Children in Need this year. Your money helps people like me have fun, social and make new friends.”

Sam Taylor, Head of Childrens and Young Peoples Services: “The funding has allowed us, in partnership with Girlguiding Scotland, to open the inclusive Rainbows and Brownies pack for children with disabilities and complex communication support needs at our accessible resource base in Glasgow. The pack has been a great success and is becoming increasingly popular. The children are thoroughly enjoying activities from arts and crafts to games and singing.” 

John, 14-year-old at from Kings Foundation, Liverpool: “For the first time in my life I was playing sport and making friends in a place where no one teased me because of my disability. I absolutely loved it. I got my confidence back. I’m now a sports camp leader and help the younger children. Your money helps young people like me change their lives for the better.”

Mum, Norfolk: “Three generations of my family have been supported by Nelson’s Journey since my brother died in a car accident. They helped us cope with the shock and explained complex things to us so that the children could come to terms with what happened. They’ve been amazing.”

Young woman, Portsmouth: “Without my counsellor I’d be in despair. She helped me to rebuild my life after I was abused. I’d be a broken girl if it wasn’t for her.”

Stevie Spring, Chair of Trustees at BBC Children in Need: “Achieving our highest ever appeal total in over 30 years of telethons took an amazing amount of dedication from BBC colleagues, corporate partners, heroic fundraisers up and down the country and, of course, our dedicated staff and volunteers. It means we can fund even more projects next year and help even more disadvantaged children and young people. So it’s worth it. On behalf of the Board a heartfelt thanks to everyone who played their part.”

Mark Coburn, Scottish Grants Committee: “With so much child poverty in Scotland it has been rewarding beyond all my expectations to be able to help out at a grass roots level. Visiting some of our funded projects has been the highlight for me – so many people making a difference across communities all over Scotland."

Colette Phillips, CSR Manager, Boots UK: “2013 was the 10th year of partnership with BBC Children in Need and we saw an amazing team effort that spanned the company. We were delighted to raise an incredible £1 million for this great cause and make a real difference to the lives of children and young people in all corners of the UK.”

Alan Taylor, Community and Social Responsibility Manager, Post Office: “Our people and customers love to get involved supporting Pudsey every year knowing that their fundraising efforts and donations make a huge difference to help change young lives across the UK. The Post Office, like BBC Children in Need, is at the heart of the community which is just one of the reasons why we’re incredibly proud to support BBC Children in Need.”

Lauren is 14 and from Stockport. Her mum has non-epileptic attack disorder, resulting in attacks similar to epileptic fits which can leave her unable to get out of bed. This means Lauren helps her mother carry out everyday tasks such as dressing and cooking, whilst also helping take care of her younger siblings.

Always one to look on the bright side, Lauren is quick to notice the positives of her caring role, saying that: “being a young carer has made me more mature as I have had to grow my responsibilities. I’m more respectful of others now as I can feel for what they are going through.”

Despite this bright outlook though, her responsibilities have had an impact on her own education as she sometimes misses school to care for her family. It's also had an emotional impact and Lauren knows that she sometimes misses out on childhood experiences as her caring responsibilities come first.

Since 2010, Lauren’s been attending a group at Signpost Young Carers in Stockport which is funded by BBC Children in Need. Signpost works directly with young carers to provide support, respite and life skills, as well as the chance to meet other young people from similar backgrounds.

Activities include sports and team-building games as well as work helping young people to cope with their caring roles. Signpost also helps organise residential trips and breaks for young carers, which Lauren has hugely enjoyed.

In the four years that she’s been with the group, Lauren’s gone from strength to strength. She’s become much more confident and has built a strong friendship group.

Talking of the benefits, Lauren says: “It is important to meet with other young carers because it helps me to understand that I am not isolated and there are also other young carers who are in the same situation. It’s comforting to know that you’re not in the situation alone.”

A pillar of support both in her family and to other young carers, she is often found supporting fellow attendees at the project who need someone to talk to. Lauren has also taken a proactive role in raising the profile of young carers, recently delivering a talk to members of her school.  She is the first to admit that, had she not been in the position herself, she probably wouldn’t understand what a young carer was, and is committed to raising awareness.

Looking forward, Lauren is positive about her future, but she’s got advice for other young carers in the same position: “Don’t hide away and keep it to yourself; there’s support there for you so don’t be afraid to ask for it!”

It’s estimated that there are almost a quarter of a million young carers in the UK.  Sadly, in reality these figures could be even higher.  The term young carer refers to anyone under 18, who looks after someone unable to care for themselves. Typical tasks they might help with include cooking and cleaning, and helping someone to get showered, dressed and move around.

All too often the hard work of carers doesn’t get the recognition it deserves, which is why Carers Week was set up.  Now in its twentieth year, Carers Week is a chance for people to learn more about the roles of carers and the great differences they make.

Thanks to your donations we're able to support 87 young carer projects.

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Savanna, who is 17, shares her story: “I was 12 when I became a young carer because my mum had kidney failure. I know way too much about all the medical terms associated with dialysis and the enduring pain of treatment and organ replacement. I handle the family’s finances, which makes me stressed so my dyslexia gets worse. It can be really tough.”

There are an estimated 244,000 young carers in the UK under 19 and 23,000 of those are under 9 years old though many suspect the actual figure is a lot higher.  Young carers provide an important contribution to their family but their caring responsibilities can have a devastating effect on their personal wellbeing, their education and ultimately employment prospects. Many young carers suffer bullying because of their caring role which leads to low self-esteem, loss of confidence and isolation.

"Have fun, make friends and enjoy childhood"

Crossroads Care West Kent works with 170 young carers aged between 5 and 18 in the Maidstone and Malling areas of Kent. Staff organise free weekly group sessions where young carers can meet and socialise whilst getting hands-on with just about every kind of activity including trips and holiday adventures. It’s important for young carers to realise they are not the only ones and have time away from their family to increase self-esteem and confidence.

Irene Jeffrey, CEO at Crossroads Care West Kent says: “Many young carers who come to us feel so alone with their huge caring responsibilities. They feel they have no-one they can turn to for help. Our clubs introduces them to others who have the same life experiences and know what they are going through. Above all else, we provide young carers with a chance to have fun, make friends and enjoy their childhood. It is a pleasure and a privilege to support them.  I can’t thank BBC Children in Need enough for making it all possible.”

One of the additional services is preparing the young person to leave home. This can be a tricky time as whilst some young carers have high ambitions, others question if they can even go on to higher education and leave family responsibilities behind.

Savanna says: “Back in April 2013 I started as a council apprentice, but now have secured a permanent position. I have also done some motivational speaking and attended a project, counselling young adults with disabilities. Everything I've experienced has made me a fighter!”

"The support has been unbelievable"

At the end of the session at Crossroads there is a real family atmosphere and everyone is so supportive of one another. It is no surprise that some of the young people have the passion to stay on as volunteers and even go on to caring professions.

Savanna is aiming high: “I am currently chasing my dreams and working with a recording company in London to complete two of my own songs. If I had not attended regular sessions at Crossroads Care I would not have had the confidence to make the leap. The support that they have provided and the opportunities they have presented me with are unbelievable!”.

Thanks to your donations we're able to support Crossroads Care and 86 other young carer projects.

For all news from BBC Children in Need, make sure you follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

They all go to The London Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy in Muswell Hill, a specialist centre for children with cerebral palsy which is supported by BBC Children in Need. It’s open every day for families to come along and take part in free tailored sessions, helping children to reach their potential.

Toby is five and has been attending sessions at the Centre for three years. When he first started going, things were really hard for him. As a toddler, he had been developing perfectly until an accident left him with severe brain injury. He was in hospital for a long time and doctors said he’d never walk or talk again. He had little functionality and couldn’t even swallow. But Toby’s been slowly proving the doctors wrong. Incredibly, he started talking last year and his mum Pippa is overjoyed to be able to have a conversation with him. He’s also on his feet and walking unaided, something Pippa never thought she’d see.

Lucas is four and started going to the Centre last October. Since then, he’s learnt to walk on his own and his speech has improved. When he was asked at nursery what he most enjoys doing, he replied: “When mum picks me up and takes me to Muswell Hill”, meaning the Centre. He goes there to play, make new friends and, crucially, become more independent.

Three-year-old Stamford is a Chelsea-mad football fan and has been going to the Centre for most of his life. He was born with cerebral palsy and has been attending sessions since he was only one years old. He has made fantastic progress, after being told by doctors he would never walk. He’s gone from shuffling around on his bottom to walking unaided. And he never stops smiling! Despite being visually impaired and having limited speech, he can still name every single player in Chelsea football club!

Thanks to your fundraising efforts and generous donations, we’ve been able to help children like Toby, Lucas and Stamford. Find out more about the projects we fund in your area, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news.

In the middle of 2013 Sufyan, who lives with his family in East London, began to have muscle aches which his mum Julie put down to growing pains typical for a boy his age.

She recalls: “By October Sufyan was falling over inexplicably and was always tired. Back and forth we took him to the doctors but it was a mystery. He stopped making the sports practices that he loved and even doing up shirt buttons had become a challenge! I was worried and beginning to suspect that he was being bullied and trying to avoid school.”

After a particularly bad fall on the way to school an ambulance was called and it was the neurological doctors at the hospital who first suggested that Sufyan might be suffering from Myasthenia Gravis.

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an auto immune disease that is rare in children effecting 1 in every 100,000. It causes muscle weakening across the body though can be different in each case and fluctuate wildly. Siblings, parents, social work staff and school staff are therefore often not able to grasp the seriousness of the disease and think that the child (or the mother) is making it up.

In January 2014 Sufyan was diagnosed with MG which was both a shock and a relief to him and his family.

Sufyan says: “I’m still taking it all in. On a good day I will be able to do some sports and feel normal. On a bad day my eyes and head droops and my body fails me, it won’t move fast enough. It’s like an energy suck. I feel useless and don’t see the point in doing homework or planning for the future. I never know when it’s going to hit me and I get embarrassed.”

The family recently had their first appointment at Great Ormond Street Hospital where doctors there were finally able to explain the disease and its treatment. Julie hit the search engines and discovered the Myasthenia Gravis Association (MGA) which offers an excellent virtual and telephone support network.

Part funded by BBC Children in Need the MGA run an annual weekend for children and young people with Myasthenia Gravis and Congenital Myasthenia Syndrome. Both of these diseases are extremely isolating and misunderstood. The weekends are an opportunity for children, siblings and parents to meet other families going through the same challenges. There is a packed timetable of activities and all about developing friendships and support bonds with real life families rather than medical professionals.

Rita Goldthorp who works for the MGA says the weekends have a dramatic effect on families.

“The difference having the funds from BBC Children in Need and other very generous trusts and individuals really has to be seen to be believed. The children have made friends and the recognition as people arrive on the Friday evening makes their faces light up and after a few minutes it’s as though they met only yesterday. Being with people who understand that yes I want to go for a swim and then after 5-10 minutes I can’t swim any more my energy has gone is a perfectly normal everyday occurrence and not a child who is being difficult or “silly”. You are believed and this for a child is like waving a magic wand – and yes, we do have a magician who comes along to do some tricks!”

The doctors are keen to get Sufyan back into his football boots but need to get his medication right first. In light of his physical body failing him Sufyan turns his talents to a more cerebral outlet. An avid writer, he has composed a new poem to explain what it’s like living with Myasthenia Gravis.

A poem by Sufyan:

As I walk down the road I start to get weak, my tongue gets heavy as I try to speak.

I have to stop and wait, I need to tell mum I'll be late.

I can’t even lift the phone to my face , how am I going to call her? my heart starts to race.

I sit down and take my medication, I need to relax , I need to be patient.

Anger, frustration, I don't know how to cope but in my mind there still is hope.

Even though, right now it's a dream I know that one day I will be fit, rich and have self-esteem.

Sufyan and his family are now looking forward to the MGA weekend in June 2014.

Part funded by BBC Children in Need, 2014 is the theatre's 40th Festival Year and celebrations have already started with a new show which is ruffling plenty of feathers.

An Awfully Big Performance takes audiences on a journey to celebrate the inclusive theatre's past, present and future. Expect snapshots of dance, music, song and drama from an exceptional cast of diverse performers such as sisters Ophir and Noa:

“My name is Ophir and I am 18 years old. I have been part of Chickenshed since I was a baby. I first came to ‘Tales for the Shed’ and then joined the Children's Theatre, so about 17 years - that’s all my life! In this show I have worked with Robin, Emma, Louise and Georgie. They are passionate, inspiring and understanding. I've learnt from them how to push on and boost my confidence. The best bit of this show is my duet with my sister Noa. It makes me feel so special.”

Based in north London, Chickenshed has been working with socially excluded groups for the last 4 decades. Still true to their all-embracing original ethos, the theatre now have at least 600 children on their books, many of whom face significant social or financial hardship or have recognised additional needs.

“My name is Noa and I am 12. I have been part of the theatre company for six years which is half my life! For an Awfully Big Performance I have been working with Louise, Lauren and Georgie. I would describe them as supportive, determined and helpful. I have learnt that they are great teachers and put a lot of effort and time into Chickenshed to make it a great place and to make the show the best it can be. The best bit about the show is the people you meet, the friends you make and the feel of the community and love amongst the people. I love the feeling you have being on stage.”

The theatre has seen incredible success over the last 40 years and helped many young people to increase their confidence and creativity, form deeper and more trustful relationships plus find an independence and ambition they never knew they had! No wonder there is a waiting list of more than 1000 people.

To see Ophir and Noa performing on stage head to the Chickenshed website as the run ends on Sunday 23 March and tickets are selling fast!

Ben joined The Back Up Trust when he was eight. Funded by BBC Children in Need since 2003, it’s an organisation that delivers outreach, rehabilitation and participation activities to under 18s who have spinal cord injuries across the UK.

Every year 40-50 children and young people will sustain a spinal cord injury (SCI) through either accident or illness leaving them permanently paralysed. They can go on to have issues at school from access to buildings, difficulty with social relationships and not being involved in decisions that affect their lives. Depression and anxiety can also be a factor and there is an additional strain on siblings and parents as the family adjusts.

Ben, who was born with an SCI and uses a wheelchair to get around, first slid onto a dry ski slope when he was 11 but this might have not been possible, had he not already been part of Back Up for two years.

“I got involved with Back Up when I was very young, and went on the very first course for kids when I was eight. I learnt lots of wheelchair skills which helped me to have the confidence to be independent and mobile. The activity course focused on what I could do, not what I couldn’t. Later I went on a drama course in London, which was my first independent stay away from home without any family support. It was amazing, and helped me develop in confidence. It has stayed with me; I’m now able to travel on escalators anywhere in the world. The skills the courses give people are for life not just the duration of the course!”

At 13, Ben was talent spotted and invited to become one of the first members of the British Disabled Ski Team Youth Development Squad. Then when he was 15 he trained to become Back Up’s first ever under-18 skills trainer where he supported other young people to be confident and independent in their wheelchairs. The organisation clearly saw that this was a successful strategy and to this day run a dedicated volunteer programme where young people can learn about leadership, how to deliver support and really challenge the perceptions of what is possible for those living with mobility impairment. For Ben it seems there’s no slope too high.

“I’m off to Sheffield Hallam University to study Sports Science in September and to continue developing in sport and grabbing the opportunities and challenges life throws at me. Back Up has helped me develop in all areas of my life, physically, mentally and socially. It is difficult to measure what might have been, easier to say how fantastic it is and that Back Up has played a major part in so many wonderful opportunities in my life.”

At Sochi Ben competed in the Sit-ski Slalom and Giant Slalom categories. An absolute inspiration to everyone, we wonder how many budding Paralympians are currently cutting their teeth at The Back Up Trust?

His mum and dad, Nicola and Andrew, eventually discovered that he had a very rare skin condition called Xeroderma Pigmentosum. It’s an hereditary condition that means the skin cannot repair itself after being damaged by UV radiation. It affects just one in 250,000 people in the UK today and means they are 1000 times more susceptible to skin cancers.

Recently, many of us have been relishing the first sunshine of the year, but children with XP avoid going outside in daylight. If they do, they apply high factor sunscreen to their skin every few hours, wear long sleeves, gloves and a protective hat with a special visor that blocks out UV light. The windows of their homes, schools and nurseries are fitted with the same special film called Dermaguard which filters out UV rays and they have regular check-ups at a specialist clinic, at least every six months.

Eddision’s family have a zero tolerance policy to UV so he has a device to measure the invisible UV rays from things like lighting. His family has raised funds to build him an indoor garden at home. There, he and his younger brother Raife can kick a football around on the astroturf surface, play on the swings and care for his pet rabbit.

Aside from the isolation and frustration of not being able to play outside, children and young people with XP may also experience difficulties making friends because they are different as well as teasing and self-consciousness.

But since 2002, BBC Children in Need has been helping to fund the XP Support Group so that it can provide information, fun and friendship to the 100 or so families in the UK affected by the condition.

Founder Sandra Webb set up the group after her son Alex, now 19, was diagnosed. A grant of £9,500 contributes towards the cost of activities and volunteers at the Owl Patrol Camp of 2014 which was held at St Katharine’s House in Freith near Henley-on-Thames in mid-February.

It’s an annual residential held at the same location each year because CiN funding previously paid for specialist UV film to be fitted to all the windows. CiN has also paid for equipment, toys, games and art supplies. It’s a weekend when newly-diagnosed families can get information and support or those who know each other through the Support Group can meet up, talk to each other, and get advice or give feedback on their experience to the foremost experts in the field.

Sandra said: “Each year our camp is themed and activities are chosen in line with the theme and we decorate the rooms to match. For 2014 it was 'Heroes & Villains'. All the arts and crafts activities are available to children and adults. We also invite doctors and experts in the field to talk to them. The camp treats XP patients and their non-affected siblings equally. We believe that siblings also need support as they often feel that more attention is paid to their affected sibling than to themselves.”

The house has enough rooms for around 35 families, 40 per cent of whom are new to the group, like Eddison, and who are helped to adapt to the diagnosis that comes as such a shock in the beginning.

Ahmed, who’s 11, had been counting the days until returning to Owl Patrol Camp after enjoying so much last year. For him, his mum, his brother and sister, it meant a nine-hour journey from Bradford because of transport issues caused by the recent floods and storms. But once at the house, Ahmed showed off his superb origami and indoor football skills. The experience also included an early evening swim, the chance to take part in a karate session, the opportunity for teenagers to make a podcast or leaflet of top tips and advice to younger children with the condition, all washed down with good food and friendship.

Ahmed said: “I don’t like wearing my hat and visor and it keeps breaking. But my friends at school know why I have to and it’s OK. I’ve had a small bit of skin removed near my mouth that doctors were a bit worried about but you can hardly see it. The main problem I’ve got at the moment is round my eyes.”

Sandra introduces families to specialists like ophthalmologist Susie Morley, so they can talk to her about the latest research on eye protection. She carries out regular checks on children like Ahmed because exposure to sunlight can damage the surface of the eyeball and if they are affected by neurological damage it can affect eye movements.

They can also meet nurse Sally Turner who works on an outreach basis, visiting families at home or children at school to educate teachers and ensure that buildings and school clothing are UV safe. And there are also dermatologists, a geneticist and clinical psychologist who all specialise on the condition.

It’s Professor Alan Lehmann from the University of Sussex whose team diagnoses most cases of XP in the UK.

He explained: “We analyse the skin biopsy and either find that the skin cells can’t repair UV damage or that they can’t copy the DNA that carries out that function.”

These are all the people that families of children with XP are likely to meet at the clinics they attend in either Birmingham or London. To have a one-stop shop for them once a year where they can also make friends and have fun is invaluable.

Thank you for donating to BBC Children in Need so we can continue to fund residential stays for children with rare diseases like XP.

Read more about the children you help here.

It’s sad that prospects for many children and young people depend on the postcode in which they live. But the sports-mad children who attend this club, near Port Talbot in south Wales, are doing their best to buck that trend.

Operating in a highly deprived area, the club offers children the chance to get involved in sports like football, rugby and cricket. This helps them get healthier, improve their confidence and self-esteem, and better engage with employment and training.

The club has had it fair share of success stories. Several youngsters have been picked out by talent scouts for the local Premier League teams Cardiff and Swansea and started playing for their academies. Veteran Welsh boxer Darren Edwards started out at the club and so did rugby player Sean Holley who was Head Coach for Ospreys for nine seasons and now a BBC Wales rugby commentator. His two sons now attend the club. 

Since several other youth clubs in the area lost their government funding, Cwmavon has been inundated with children travelling from further away to get to their sessions, currently around 175 attend.

The Club has been run by volunteers for years but, thanks to your donations, a BBC Children in Need grant of £8,600 now means they can now pay for Sports Development Officer Nigel Gage.

Nigel says: "Some kids here have a rough start in life but the club gives them routine and something to fight for. The talent within these walls is unbelievable.”

Their surfing courses are run by the Wave Project, which is supported by BBC Children in Need, and are for local children and young people aged 8 to 18 with exceptional difficulties in their lives. Some of the children who attend are facing challenges associated with abuse and neglect, exclusion, ADHD, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, eating disorders and bullying.

Staff have seen how surfing can play a part in turning these children’s lives around, helping them overcome anxiety, depression and build up their self-confidence.

The courses have become so popular that the Wave Project is set to launch three new surf club branches in the spring after trebling in size in less than a year!

Joe Taylor from the Wave Project says: "It has been amazing how many young people have joined the club this year. When we launched in 2012, our aim was to provide one session a month for young people who had completed one of our therapeutic courses. Now we are trying to cater for over 120 members, many of whom want to go surfing every week. And because we offer one to one support, we have to make sure we have enough staff available for each session. It’s a big logistical challenge!”

The club plans to open branches in west, mid and north Cornwall, which will deliver a free surfing session once a week in the summer season, with individual support for members who need it.

Harry, who's 10, came on a Wave Project course in September 2013 and loved it so much he joined the Surf Club straight after! 

He says: “I love going to The Wave Project because it’s good, and I like going out with other people like me. It’s lots of fun. I had a bit of confidence before doing The Wave Project, but I’ve got more now!”

 

BBC Children in Need directly funds female youth worker Joy Faulkner who describes the young people she supports:

“Some girls come because they’re bored; their parents work long hours and are not around. There’s not a lot of money and not many opportunities. There can be issues with boys trying to control young women in local gangs. We’ve had some fantastic success stories – one girl Abbie was pregnant at 16 but was picked to be an apprentice chef for one of Jamie Oliver’s restaurants. Another young person Jermaine is a now full time dancer- we see him on the X Factor!"
 
Chloe, 15 talks about the support she’s received from Urban Hope over the years and the inspiration behind her short story ‘Life Isn’t Me.’

"I think I've been coming to Urban Hope about 5 years. I got a leaflet about it in my letterbox. Me and my friends invited my cousin too and we've all be coming since. At Urban Hope I mostly talk a lot!! Recently I recorded a song with one of the youth workers. When I come to Urban Hope I’m normally cooking or on the computer or like mucking about with friends on the pool table or ping pong or other activities.

I think I've changed I’m more mature and I think I’m a better person because when I was little whenever anyone upset me I would say ‘you’re not my friend’ even if they only did one thing wrong. Now I’m a much more forgiving person and I don’t hold grudges against anyone. I get to hang out with mature people that make good choices and obviously that's really helped.

Life Isn’t Me is about a girl running away from home because she doesn't like the life that she lives. At home it’s just her and her mum so when she runs away she’s got nowhere to go. While she’s on her 'adventure’ she meets a boy called Nathan. He ran away from home but he could never go back and he encourages her to go back home.
I wrote it because at one point in my life I wanted to get away from it all. There was loads of stress and everything was going on in my head. I just wanted to run away but couldn’t find it in myself to do it…so I wrote a character to do it for me! The story says don’t make choices you might regret, sometimes stuff’s hard but running away isn’t the answer.

I’ve never really thought about writing as a career, Life Isn't Me was something I started cos I was bored in a class and I enjoyed it so I carried it on till it was finished. I really want to do something creative, maybe in art, I love drawing." 

Find out more about the Urban Hope Youth Project.

 

Janet Matthews supports both the crisis centre drop-ins and the regulars to get them the right benefits, develop their CVs and let young people know about job fairs and opportunities. She asked one young person, Annalise* 18, to describe her first week at New Horizon Youth Centre.

Monday:
It was a bitter cold September morning and I stood with about 10 others outside the centre. No eye contact, I just kept my head down. It didn’t open for another hour but sleeping rough means I’m up early. Last night it was the back of the local supermarket. I crawled behind the bins, out of sight where it was quiet and there was some heat coming from the ventilators. I’ve never been alone like this and I’m scared.
The doors opened and everyone went in. I got a tour of the centre from Janet and she gave me a coat and gloves plus a hot drink. There was so much going on I was confused but my fingers were thawing and I was ok to just sit and watch.
I was embarrassed to talk about what’s going on but I tried…family problems, they don’t want me staying on in college because my family say I need to get a job to help pay the bills, kicked me out the house…police found me sleeping rough and told me about the centre.
The Housing Team found me a place to stay for a few nights, with a host family from the local area. Janet told me to come back tomorrow morning and gave me some bus tickets so I’m not heading back to the supermarket.

Tuesday:
Today was hard. I had to talk to a counsellor, about how I don’t care about things and sometimes think about harming myself. About feeling alone and missing my family. I had a go at knitting with one of the ‘knitting grannies,’ I wasn’t very good.

Wednesday:
I didn’t feel like coming today. The self defence workshop was good. I hadn’t really thought about what might happen, sleeping rough. I met Evie who has been coming here for a month as she ran away from her home in Leeds. She was having family problems and misses her brothers and sisters too.
At the end of the day Housing came with news that they have got me a bed in a shelter for six weeks. I left the centre feeling like things weren’t so bad.

Thursday:
Today we had a session, that’s for people like me who aren’t in college and haven’t got a job. It was a surprise to write down all the things I HAVE done, focus on the positive. I’m going to come to the NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) classes next week and as I’m interested in events Janet’s going to look for some apprenticeships for me. There is so much out there that I didn’t know about.

Friday:
Cooking today which was chocolate brownies and I helped serve at the pop up crepe stall outside in the market which was funny. Then I did the women’s group session which was about conflict and how to deal with things.

A month later and Janet tells me that Annalise* is now housed in a long term hostel, she is attending weekly sessions with the counsellor, and just recently secured an apprenticeship with Camden for events management. Her mental stability has improved and she continues to come to the centre for support. On her experience at New Horizon Annalise* said:

‘I do not know where I would have been without New Horizons I really believe they saved my life, I am still lonely without my family but can come back here for company and I think I am going to be alright’.
*Not her real name

Janet reported that at least 200 young people come through the doors a week and it’s usually more. I asked her why she does this job and what keeps her motivated:

‘I work with the hardest to reach young people to source education and employment opportunities, doing this job is an honour and a privilege as I get to witness change on a daily basis and always get what I call "goose bump moments" watching young people turn their lives around with my support. I am passionate about young people being given every possible chance to succeed. A quote I once heard and sincerely believe in is do a job you truly love and you will never have to work a day in your life!’

Find out more about the New Horizon Youth Centre here.