A CHARITY that helps children and young people who are deaf or have hearing difficulties has won a £500 boost.

Lollipop triumphed at the latest York Soup event, which sees members of the public pay for a meal, listen to for funding pitches, then vote on which should receive the night’s gate receipts.

Teenager Callum Japes led the pitch for Lollipop York and District, which was set up in 2004 to help combat isolation and to offer social support to children and young people with hearing loss, and to their families.

The money will help them expand their services, bringing in inspirational deaf people for workshops, offering mentoring to the young people and also giving them the opportunity to train to be mentors.

The group will soon have access to a new space for its sessions and will use the York Soup proceeds to develop, decorate and furnish the space.

The event was last Thursday at the Spurriergate Centre, and was compered by Greg Mcgee from the According to McGee art gallery.

There was also a pitch by Jack Woodhams from Yorkey Dads, a social group which encourages York-based fathers to share experience, build confidence and become active parents, and which has 200 members.

Robin Hughes for 1st Holgate Scouts pitched for the money to go towards the costs of planning for a new building. The group has grown by 89 per cent since 2008 to more than 270 members, and is the largest of North Yorkshire’s 106 Scout Groups.

Mary Passeri pitched for Chill in the Community in Acomb, for a new project to work with people with dementia and their families, friends and carers.

The not-for-profit group is developing community cohesion and pride, around Front Street. Their latest project aims to bring together friends and families of those affected by dementia and they seek funding for expenses including art and craft materials, refreshments, volunteer support and a paid story teller.

A spokesperson for York Soup said: “As well pitching for funds, taking part in York Soup offers groups the opportunity to raise awareness of their organisation, for everyone taking part to network and to exchange offers of support.”