YOUNG offenders dug deep into their pockets to raise cash to help abused children.

Inmates at the young offenders institution in Northallerton raised more than £800 for Barnardos’ Bridgeway project in Middlesbrough.

They organised a full day of sporting competitions for which they sponsored each other and got staff to sponsor them as well.

Some 150 young offenders took part - and some gave up their own money without even being sponsored.

The prison’s PE instructor, Shawn Shelton, said: "The aim of the day was to have fun, get staff and offenders talking to each other and raise money for a very good cause.

"A lot of the lads have connections with Barnardos and we all felt it was a charity worth raising money for. The atmosphere on the day was really good and everyone had a great time."

The Bridgeway project in Middlesbrough is a long established therapeutic service which works with children who have been sexually abused and their families.

The charity’s fund-raiser Suzi Campbell said: "We were absolutely delighted that the prison and the offenders themselves showed so much enthusiasm for raising money for us and this shows in the fantastic amount they managed to achieve.

"We realise these young lads don’t have much disposable income to spend and are touched that they were so ready to give that money up for disadvantaged children."