BUSINESS from right across the region are pulling together to help out children during the half-term period.

Independent shops to big chains are taking part by offering up free food and drink to school children from Monday.

The Northern Echo is publishing a list of every confirmed business taking part in the North-East and North Yorkshire and will be updating it throughout the day.

Venues leap to the aid of families after Rashford plea

Here are just some of the places confirmed so far...

County Durham

- Page's Bakery, Tow Law - offering free lunches to children from Monday between 12 and 2pm - contact 07584 411 195

- Castle Eden Inn, Castle Eden - offering free lunches from Monday between 12-1.30 throughout holiday period - contact 01429 835 954

- The Cosy Corner Cafe, Stanley  - offering free lunches from Monday - contact 01207 234005

- Marco Pierre White Durham, Durham City - offering children free lunches during the holiday period - contact mpwrestaurants.co.uk/kids-eat-free

- Babul's of Barnard Castle - offering children free meals from Monday between 4pm and 5pm every day - contact 01833 630575

- The Poachers, Durham - offering children free meals from Monday between 11am and 12pm - contact 01740 654268

- Papa Kel's, Bishop Auckland - offering children free meals between Monday and Friday - contact 07842 047472.

- Shildon Alive - extending its free breakfast scheme to include lunches from Monday - contact 01388 417 600

- Little Chefs, Big Chefs CIC - offering children free snack bags between Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 12pm - contact 07507 666 805

- Ferryhill Sports and Education Centre - offering children free packed lunches over half term - contact 01740 654123

- Maddison's Consett - offering children packed lunches over the half-term period - contact 01207 583 318

- Fifteas Vintage Tearoom, Bishop Auckland - offering children a takeaway lunch for free during half-term - contact 01388 305 886

- Le Raaj in Chester Moor and Sedgefield - offering children a free meal Saturday to Thursday between 12pm to 1.30pm - contact 0191 389 0561 / 01740 623 030

- The Burn Pub & Kitchen in Willington is offering free school meals next week - contact 01388 327368

- The Brawn’s Den in Brandon, Durham, is offering Free hot meals or packed lunches for children this half term week from Tuesday to Friday between 1-4pm,  come to the pub to collect or ring beforehand to order - contact 0191 447 5400.

- Chatterbox Cafe, Weardale - between 4pm and 5pm everyday until November 1 we will be supplying a free meal for any child, rrespective of financial circumstances, and a free cuppa for the adults - contact via Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/chatterboxcafe11

- Glenroyd House, Consett, Derwentside - providing a food hamper to last at least one week from its Community Pantry to families in the Derwentside area for the half term - contact 01207 297349, email sharon@glenroydhouse.org.uk or message via the Facebook page

- Pizza Time, Belmont - free slice of pizza and chips between 3pm and 4pm, Cheevley Park Shopping Centre - contact 0191 3844 666

- The Pantry, Tow Law - providing free meals for children on Wednesday Thursday and Friday - contact 01388 730033

- Shamrock Smoothies, Front Street, Stanley - From Monday, offering free sandwiches or paninis and a drink to every child in difficulty during the school break. Call or simply walk in and ask for it - contact 07729 40047

- Queen's Head, Gilesgate, Durham - children can eat eat free all week, and offering 20 children's meals to needy families every day - contact 0191 3866 565 to request on the morning and arrange a pick up time after noon

- Shildon Stores, Shildon - From Monday to Friday, October 30 between noon and 4pm offering any child up to the age of 16 a free packed lunch - details on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ShildonStores/

- Lou’s Cafe, Unit 2 at Cuthberts Walk, Chester-le-Street - offering a free packed lunch for anyone who would usually be on free school meals or is struggling, collection between 9.30am and 3.30pm, Monday to Saturday

Darlington 

- Al Forno Darlington - offering children free lunch on Monday between 3 and 5pm - contact 01325 466 585

- Platform 1, Middleton St George - offering children free meals throughout October half term - contact 01325 333349

- The Grey Horse, Darlington - offering children free meals between 11am and 12pm throughout the half-term period - contact 01325 465402

Teesside

- Sweety & Meaty, Stockton - offering free lunches to children from Monday - contact 01642 909 580

- Manjaro's, Middlesbrough - offering free lunches to children from Monday - contact  01642 605 060

- The Leven, Stokesley - offering all children a free meal between Saturday, October 24 and November 2 - contact 01642 711888

- The George Pub and Grill, Stockton - offering children a free meal throughout half-term period - contact 01642 673 262

- Al Forno Ingleby Barwick - offering children free lunch on Monday between 3 and 5pm - contact 01642 766300

- ARC Stockton Arts Centre - offering children free packed lunches between October 26 and October 31 - contact 01642 525 199

North Yorkshire

- The Vale of York, Thirsk - offering free breakfast to children between 10am and 12pm, free teas between 3pm and 5pm - contact 01845 440892

- Granny's Kitchen, Finkle Street, Richmond - hot food for children eligible for free school meals next week, Tuesday fo Friday 9am to 4pm - contact 01748 850200

- Louis Bar, Catterick Garrison - offering children a free main course, available from noon - 3pm weekdays - contact 01748 883448

- Market Kitchen, Victorian Indoor Market, Richmond - offering free children's meals throughout half term, for all children 16 and under

- Angus Morton Butcher, Finkle Street, Richmond - offering 400g mince steak, eight thin pork sausages, 12 free range eggs (thanks to Roy, at Wensleydale Eggs) to anyone eligible for free school meals from Monday to Friday - details on Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Angus-Morton-Butcher-850308111739709

Tyne and Wear

- Manticore Catering, Sunderland - offering children free meals between 9am and 8pm throughout half-term - contact 0191 447 3446 

- Cornerstone Comminity Cafe in Benwell Newcastle will be providing free packed lunches on Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 October for any children who require them. Open between 10am and 1.30pm - contact cornerstonebenwell@gmail.com, or 0191 226 0941

- Washington Community Food Project, The Galleries - offering lunches for school aged children every day next week from noon to 3pm - contact 07450 766226, email washingtoncfp@gmail.com or via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/washingtoncfp/

Let us know if your business is taking part by either leaving a comment below or by emailing newsdesk@nne.co.uk