A CHARITY has received a £2,000 grant from the Premier League community scheme.

Care in Durham, in Durham City, was named as one of Sunderland Football Club's 20 runners-up in the league's Places for Players initiative.

The initiative, part of the Creating Chances programme, will see 200 stars support charities and good causes throughout next month.

Care in Durham supports and works with young people who are in or have recently left the care system.

Manager Jeff Spence said: "We are using this award to take 40 young people from the looked- after system in County Durham for a day of sports.

"This is an excellent opportunity to introduce disadvantaged children and young people to a variety of sports and activities that they might otherwise never experience and we would like to thank the Premier League and Sunderland Football Club very much."

Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Premier League, said: "I hope the £2,000 donation for our runners-up will help them to continue their fantastic work and in many cases provide a springboard for charities and good causes to achieve their goals."