LOCAL people have raised thousands of pounds to send nearly 200 local children on a much needed family holiday.

Popular charity Children in Poverty Inverclyde has been overwhelmed by the support – for the third year in a row.

They have received £15,000 in donations from local businesses, organisations and members of the public.

Charity bosses also received £1,000 from an anonymous donor.
As a result, they can give many struggling families a summer holiday.

Chairman Pat Burke said: “We rely heavily on the wonderful people of Inverclyde for our sustainability as we are not local authority funded.” The group supports families who need a break and it has 20 lined up to enjoy week-long stays at Hunters Quay Holiday Park.

Eighty children will go to the park over a three week period.

As part of the holiday they get free accommodation, free ferry travel, food vouchers and a Go Active pass to allow them to take part in activities on the site.

From April this year to October a total of 100 youngsters will have enjoyed breaks through the charity.

Children in Poverty would like to publicly thank a number of donors, including: Sir Eric Yarrow (£3,000), St Columba’s Gourock YPI (£3,000), Moondance (£1,500), Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No.XII (£1,500), Regent Club (£1,000), 2020 Renewables (£947), Greenock Morton Community Trust charity match (£725), Gourock YAC U-17s charity match (£515), Greenock Celtic Supporters’ Club (£500), The Rotary Club of Gourock (£500), Clydeview Academy triathlon (£300) and Moorfoot Primary Leavers (£120).

They would also like to thank Gordon Ross of Western Ferries for providing free ferry travel for families and Argyll Holidays owners the holiday park, who donated £1,000 from their annual charity fund collections.