A SCHEME that provides respite care for sick and disabled youngsters across County Durham has issued a desperate plea for volunteers.

Durham and Darlington Shared Care helps youngsters with physical and learning disabilities or serious illnesses.

Its team of foster carers provides temporary care, giving parents a break, and it has befriending scheme that helps youngsters to make friends outside the family.

But the call for its services is growing and it needs more people to volunteer their services to meet the demand.

The scheme began in 1986 and is jointly funded by Durham Social Services and children's charity Barnardo's. It covers Darlington, Durham, Derwentside, East Durham and Chester-le-Street.

Barnardo's spokeswoman Angela Robinson said: "We have 108 children on our register and 84 approved carers.

"Five more are going through assessment and 13 others are going through the induction process.

"At the moment, there is a waiting list of 20 children who need carers. If we can get more volunteers, hopefully, we can get carers for them all."

Shared Care social worker Ramla Handa said the scheme provided sitters, who look after children in their homes and foster parents who take youngsters for short breaks.

"The whole idea is to allow the child and its family to have a break, and for the child to experience something different. It also gives the parents a chance to spend time with their other children.

"Befrienders will take a young person to wherever they want to go.

"It might be swimming, or a bowling alley, but wherever it is, it lets that young person have the choice, make their own decisions and become as independent as they can.

"It might also give that child a chance to do something they might have never experienced before.''

Carers come from all walks of life and are assessed and given training. Police and social services also make checks. Carers are paid a small allowance.

The charity particularly needs male carers and befrienders as well as volunteers from the ethnic minorities.

Anyone wanting information about becoming a volunteer should call 0191-378 4800