A GROUP of mums who formed a fully inclusive youth group have been pulling out all the stops to support children with additional needs and their families during the coronavirus pandemic.

The restrictions in place, coupled with the dangers posed by coronavirus, mean many families have been left isolated as they look to keep themselves and their children safe.

But the work of Tanga Club has ensured that nobody has to face the crisis alone.

The Hexham Courant launched the bouquet of the week feature in March 2020 to recognise the achievements of those people who have gone above and beyond to help others during the pandemic - and Tanga Club are this week's winners.

The group, which was formed in 2019, welcomes those with a wide range of needs to come along with their parents, from those with severe disabilities to high functioning young people with ADHD, and their siblings who might have no additional needs at all.

Tanga is inspired by the Maori word for autism – Takiwatanga, meaning in his or her own time and space.

Chairwoman Katherine Miller explained what work the group had been doing during the pandemic to help families.

She said: "As the restrictions became tighter, a lot of what we do becomes difficult. We were running socially distanced support groups for parents but that's moved online now.

"It's really hard, but those groups were well attended and people did appreciate them.

"Parents are having to make the tough decision of how to balance the mental health issues of families as a whole and doing what is safe to do.

"Nothing has stopped in terms of Tanga apart from the face to face meetings. We've done everything we can to help out when we're able to.

"We're still helping our parents with problems with education, health care and day to day problems that they might come across.

"People can come to us with anything and we will do our bit, or point to somewhere that can help."

In addition to providing support and advice, Tanga also sent out Christmas gifts to children.

More than 110 gifts were sent out by the volunteer team, who gave up their time and efforts without question.

Katherine added: "Around Christmas we sent out some presents, we did about 115 for the children all over the place - we have members in Gateshead and Newcastle up to Otterburn and across to the Cumbrian border.

"We did some nice handmade Christmas cards and handmade Christmas decorations - it takes time but it's worth it to show we're not going anywhere.

"It just goes to show that people do need it and people are reaching out for this kind of help."