A CHARITY inspired by the animated characters Wallace and Gromit is donating £9,200 to a North-East children's hospice.

Thanks to thousands of people wearing the wrong trousers last year, the Butterwick Children's Hospice, in Stockton, is among 23 projects to benefit from a windfall.

Last year's Wrong Trousers Day was the first to be held and asked volunteers to donate money in exchange for wearing wacky clothes.

The Teesside hospice provides "home-from-home" care and support to children with life-limiting illnesses and their families. This involves respite care, end of life care, bereavement support and complementary therapy.

It cares for children from all over the region.

Cash from the Wallace and Gromit Children's Foundation will be used to fund education for staff and volunteers.

Barbara Marr, director of fundraising at the hospice, said: "I am delighted to accept this grant on behalf of Butterwick Children's Hospice, and would like to thank everyone who took part in Wrong Trousers Day last year and helped to make this grant possible.

"As our staff increase their knowledge and skills, so in turn will their confidence improve enabling them to deal as effectively as possible with our patients."

Wrong Trousers Day will be repeated this year, on Friday, July 2.

Nicola Masters, director of the Wallance and Gromit's Children's Foundations said: "The response to the Wrong Trousers Day campaign last year was fantastic. We are looking forward to working with Butterwick again."

To register for a free fundraising pack for Wallace and Gromit's Wrong Trousers Day, or to organise an event, log on to www.wrongtrousersday.org