Youngsters at risk from abuse are being helped through grants from the Leeds Children's Gift Fund.

Community groups working with children and young people across the city have benefited from a share of the £25,000.

The cash has gone to projects covering the arts and sports for inner-city children, to specialist support for young people affected by domestic violence in their homes.

Leeds Women's Aid, which recevied almost £5,000, has two refuges, as well as ten properties spread across the city where women and their children live independently in a house in the community.

They also deliver outreach support to women experiencing domestic violence. Their mission is to protect women and children in Leeds from violence in their own home. In 2006/7, the organisation housed 95 women and 151 children fleeing violent situations.

A spokeswoman for Leeds Women's Aid said: "Faced with an ever-increasing number of children traumatised by domestic violence, we have started to provide weekend leisure and learning activities for young people aged four to 18 who are homeless as a result of violence.

"We provide twice-weekly after-school leisure and learning activities to improve social and personal development and well being, to reduce isolation and improve self esteem and confidence."

The project will introduce children to others who have similar experiences.

Amanda Wingfield, Manager of the Leeds Children's Gift Fund said: "There are so many fantastic grass-roots organisations all over Leeds, making a real and tangible difference to children's lives.

"We're thrilled that we've been able to support these groups, and look forward to being able to support many more projects in the future.

"There are more than 400 voluntary and community groups in Leeds supporting children and young people, and most of them are in desperate need of ongoing financial support to keep going.

"We would love to talk to anyone who would be interested in helping us raise further funds and become a Leeds Children's Champion."