More than £70,000 has been awarded to a Cumbrian charity to give young people the chance to go on holiday.

Young people with learning disabilities will be able to go away thanks to a grant from Children in Need. The grant has been given to Carlisle Mencap and will enable eight to 18-year-olds with learning disabilities and or autism to take a much-needed break.

The grant, which totals £71,922, will be used to take the children to places such as southern Scotland – including a break in Manchester which will include a visit to Old Trafford for a Manchester United game.

Trips will also take place across the county including a visit in March to the Kepplewray Centre, an outdoor activity centre at Broughton-in-Furness, and also weekend stays at Rock UK, Whithaugh Park near Newcastleton, in February and May, for a range of outdoor events.

Giving the youngsters the chance to go on these trips is expected to boost their confidence, help them develop social skills and also inspire them to become more independent which the charity work to support.

Thrilled with the funding and the future plans the charity is now able to make, Sheila Gregory, chief executive at Carlisle Mencap, said: “Not for the first time we are very grateful to the BBC Children in Need for giving us this fantastic grant.

“These holiday breaks are so important to young people with learning disabilities.

“They are a lot of fun but they also play a vital part in building up these people’s confidence because we firmly believe that everyone with a learning disability and or autism has an equal right to choice, opportunity and respect – and to enjoy the types of breaks and activities that the rest of us often enjoy yet take for granted.”

BBC Children in Need support more than 3,000 charities and projects in communities across the UK that are helping children and young people who are facing a range of disadvantages such as living in poverty, being disabled or ill, or experiencing distress, neglect or trauma.