ONE thousand children in Inverclyde are living in severe poverty, damning new statistics have revealed.

One campaigner says figures compiled by Save the Children make for ‘dismal’ reading and show the ‘desperate’ extent of the hardship faced by some of our young people.

Pat Burke, of Children in Poverty in Inverclyde, has vowed to do more to help them after his organisation was awarded official charity status.

The group was set up last October and since then, thanks to the local community, has helped provide new clothes for up to 80 youngsters.

The charity now hopes to expand its work by offering day trips to Millport and holidays to a lodge in Dunoon, plus arranging events like Christmas parties and pantomime visits.

Pat says the latest research into poverty in Inverclyde shows just how much need there is for his group.

Recent figures show that 1,000 children in the area, 11 per cent, are suffering severe poverty, while the take up for school meals in Inverclyde stands at 28 per cent, significantly higher than the national average of 20 per cent.

Pat said: “It is evident that certain children in Inverclyde are in desperate need.

“The stigma of poverty has a real and lasting effect, and especially on the physical and emotional development of children.

“Our organisation believes that through our main activities, children from families affected by poverty will be given opportunities to participate fully in educational, sporting and social activities in our community.

“Children from poor families will, as a consequence of our organisation’s activities, feel valued and be empowered to participate — on an equal footing — with their more affluent peers, in all opportunities available to Inverclyde’s children.” Pat says his group has been asked to provide all sorts of clothing, from anoraks and underwear to bedclothes, since it was set up.

They have also encountered families who have been left destitute after fleeing their homes with only what they were standing in, through domestic violence.

The group recently secured cash from the council to help carry out its work but securing charitable status will mean they are able to do even more.

Pat said: “The recent Inverclyde Council grant award of £2,000 received earlier this month will assist us, but now having registered charity status it opens the way for us to make applications to the large external funders whose potential funding would make a real difference in that we will assist greater numbers.” He also pledged to continue with fundraising and was swift to praise the community’s generosity.

Pat added: “When it comes to supporting deserving causes, the people of Inverclyde have no equal.

“They won’t let us down.”