A CHARITY set up to help struggling families is sending a record breaking number of children on holiday this year - after receiving their biggest-ever single donation.

Children in Poverty Inverclyde will celebrate their 10th anniversary by giving 230 youngsters, along with their parents and carers, a week-long trip to a holiday park.

Founder Pat Burke was thrilled by the generosity of Greenock's Nationwide branch, who secured a grant from headquarters of nearly £10,000 to make it happen.

The money means the charity, which relies solely on donations, has raised nearly £100,000 in the last 12 months thanks to the generosity of local people, business and other organisations.

Mr Burke said: "It is an astonishing gesture and an incredible amount of money. The Nationwide have been wonderful to us over the years, supporting our toy appeals and I can't thank them enough for what they do.

"This will be life-changing for children who wouldn't get a holiday otherwise.

"This grant alone sends 14 families, up to 110 kids, on holiday and is the single biggest donation we have had for that.

"Last year we sent 180 children on holiday and this year it will be 230. That is a record for us. "

Nationwide branch manager William Ferguson and his team, including member representative Sam Blair, were delighted to step in.

Sam said: "We support our local community and I know about the fantastic work Children in Poverty do. We wanted to help in whatever way we can."

In total Nationwide has donated £12,000 to local charities from the branch, on top of donations for toys and food.

The large donation to CIPI was awarded through Nationwide's Colleague Grant Fund.

Children in Poverty Inverclyde works with frontline services including the health and social care partnership, schools and nurseries to help needy families and offer children the opportunity of a family holiday.

In the coming months charity chairman Pat and his trustees are looking at finding more ways to assist households with children in local secondary schools.

He said: "There are a lot of pupils who need help and this is something I am speaking about to teachers. It is something we want to focus on."