HELP is being made available to children and families in South Craven hardest hit by the pandemic.

A Covid winter grant scheme will see £1.4 million of Government funding distributed – with the help of schools, academies, early years settings and colleges – to struggling families across North Yorkshire.

The initiative will ensure that children eligible for free school meals will continue to have access to food over the Christmas holidays and into next year. It will also help other families with youngsters in education or formal childcare who are on low incomes.

North Yorkshire County Council is in the process of transferring the funds to schools, which will then start buying and distributing supermarket vouchers – equivalent to £20 per child per week – for families.

Care leavers will also receive vouchers.

Amanda Newbold, the county council’s assistant director for education and skills, said: “We would like to thank schools, early years providers and other educational settings for their support in getting this money to children most in need at this busy time of year. This scheme will make a real difference to families who are struggling.”

Any parents who experience difficulties with the voucher scheme during school holidays should contact the county council’s customer service centre on 01609 780780.