How a charity founded by farmers' wives helps children in the Borders

A charity founded by farmers' wives in the 1960s to protect vulnerable children is celebrating its 60th birthday by appealing for more people to support it.

Linda Runciman, who chairs the group, said demand for help was growing with the most common request - for a child's bed - highlighting a level of poverty across the region that she said showed no signs of reducing.

In recent years, the charity has also found itself stepping into gaps left by the reducing of services once provided by local authorities and health services.

Retired primary school teacher Linda explained: "The charity started in 1965 when some Borders farmers' wives recognised that a child living close by was in dire need."

They got together to help and it developed from there.

"We have relied on word of mouth for support up to now, but we've decided in our 60th year to get out there and raise awareness, to try to attract more referrals from all areas of the Scottish Borders and more funding to help us meet these needs," she said.

"We provide basic comforts that some people take for granted, like beds, bedroom furniture, carpets for children's rooms.

"But we also pay for shoes, school uniforms, sports kit and school trips, because we believe that all children should be able to be part of their school community.

"Sadly, there's an increasing number of families who can't afford that."

The charity has witnessed a rise in demand for help with respite for children who are carers as well as for children and families with disabilities.

It spent more than £90,000 last year on support in a wide variety of areas, and Linda acknowledged that they were often stepping in where previously the NHS or council might have done.

Raising awareness of the BCC has twin aims - as well as making more health and education professionals aware of the support available, it is hoped that more local businesses might consider them when it comes to giving to charity.

"The BCC has been able to make a real difference to children's lives for 60 years now," said Linda.

"We want to keep it going and support more children because there are definitely more children out there needing that support."