Children in Need appeal for 2009

The campaign helps thousands of children each year

Hundreds of organisations are using grant money from Children in Need to help improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people.

Despite the economic conditions, the 2008 Appeal raised a record breaking £37.8m which has helped more than 700 projects across the UK.

In South Yorkshire more than £500,000 has been awarded to 11 projects in local grants.

What do you think would happen if you introduced a team of rugby players to a classroom? The Rotherham Titans Community Foundation was founded in January 2006 and has received funding from Children in Need.

The foundation received £11,520 in autumn 2009 from the BBC's charity across a two year period. The money is to fund a project working with young people during school holidays.

Richard Finney, Chief Executive from the Titans Community Foundation explains;

"We work with the community in Rotherham. It's geared around education and opportunities for young people, often using sport. We work with young people in Rotherham, from those who are having difficulties and are not in school, to those who are in school and performing well. It's all about having a positive impact on young people."

The Rotherham Titans Community Foundation receives funding from various charities and companies in South Yorkshire. This funding is key to the running of the projects.

"We want to give young people a positive role model to look up to. The work we do can vary, from taking them out of the classroom, to playing a game of rugby and helping them develop their team building skills."

Download the Children in Need South Yorkshire beneficiaries

The Children in Need money will fund trips that otherwise we wouldn't have been able to run.

Ben Prescott from the Rotherham Titans reads with two pupils from Thrybergh Primary

"In October we'll be taking some year nine pupils, aged between 14 to 15-year-olds to Sheffield University. The idea behind these trips is giving them something to aspire to after school and consider their options.

"Some children learn in different ways, sometimes it's about giving these kids a different angle and approach and assisting teachers with that.

"The Children in Need funding is enabling us to continue this project which may have otherwise ended because of lack of funding. But now this project will continue for another two years, enabling us to work with groups of young people."

This year, Friday, 20 November, marks the 30th BBC Children in Need Appeal.

For more information on how to be a part of Children in Need 2009 visit the official website.