THE founder of a North-East charity is celebrating after winning £100,000 and a national social entrepreneur award.

Jessie Joe Jacobs was presented with the Bank of Scotland’s social entrepreneur of the year award for the success of Stockton-based charity A Way Out.

The charity helps women and young people with substance abuse problems.

Miss Jacobs launched the charity in 2002 after witnessing the impact that drugs and poverty had on young people.

The awards, held at Christ Church, Spitalfields, London, recognise the non profit-making sector, who operate for social benefit.

The shortlist included charities, church groups and social groups.

Each entry had to make a series of presentations to judges and put their case why they needed the funding and how the money would make a difference.

A Way Out will use the £100,000 to develop the service it already offers. It will also receive a year’s business mentoring from Kavita Oberoi, managing director of Oberoi Consulting and recent star of TV show Secret Millionaire.

Miss Jacobs said: “To say I am happy is an understatement and the transformational capacity of this funding will probably hit me tomorrow.

“We came into this process with no expectations and with a full understanding of the stiff competition we faced.

“The pitch was tough and the panel had so many questions and knew exactly what they were looking for.

“It is our vision to target the poor in society and this funding now means we have the potential to deliver services in Stockton and beyond.”

Mr Oberoi said: “A Way Out was a deserving winner of the £100,000 donation. This is a business in an area which is very close to my heart and area of expertise. As a result, I will be mentoring this organisation.

“Jessie has completed a Masters in management and that certainly showed in the lucid clarity of her business plan and the professionalism of her presentation.

“This business is keen to stay self-sustainable and this donation will help cement further its capability to do this by increasing its income potential.”

Sam Kerr, head of specialist banking at Bank of Scotland, said: “The winners were deserving of course.”