A CHILDREN'S charity has received special funding to improve the lives of local youngsters hit by the coronavirus crisis.

Mind Mosaic Child & Family Therapies won a £15,000 grant from the STV Children's Appeal to help young people affected during lockdown by everything from self-harm and suicidal thoughts to grief over the loss of loved ones.

The cash boost allowed the charity, who work out of their Pottery Street premises, to run extra support groups and counselling sessions for those four to 18-year-olds on their waiting list.

Sandra Boyle, director of Mind Mosaic, told the Tele: "We are currently seeing over 80 children and young people a week and have had a large waiting list for a long time.

"This money has allowed us to help some of those children and young people, as we've been able to run additional groups and services.

"It also goes towards resources such as PPE and deep cleaning materials, as well as figurines used during play therapy by children and young people who need assistance articulating trauma."

The STV Children’s Appeal distributed £152,000 to 50 projects throughout Scotland following a campaign to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people across the country.

The campaign received celebrity backing from a number of famous Scots including James McAvoy, Gail Porter and Douglas Stuart, with the latter recording a video message in which he recounted his own experience as a child living in poverty in Scotland.

STV bosses contacted the Inverclyde charity and offered the financial aid to support their work with local youngsters and beyond.

Simon Pitts, chief executive of STV and a trustee of the appeal, said: "Now more than ever, it’s crucial that Scotland’s young people are provided with opportunities to feel engaged, connected and, most importantly, hopeful.

"Many of our charity partners find that, even when the opportunities exist, some children still face barriers to accessing them.

"That’s what we hope to change with these grants and I’m delighted that every penny donated by our generous viewers has already been distributed to charities across the length and breadth of the country."

Sandra says everyone at Mind Mosaic is 'so grateful for this fantastic donation' and believes it will make a big difference to improve the lives of youngsters who have been through harrowing times.

She added: "Our specialist play therapy and young people's counselling helps those who use our services heal and recover."