A charity which supports children who are victims of domestic violence or who witness it in their own home has been awarded a £100,000 grant to fund a specialist support worker over the next three years.

Splitz Support Service, in Duke Street, Trowbridge, secured the money after applying for a grant from the BBC’s Children In Need appeal.

The charity was awarded £105,436 and will fund the remainder of the Splitzkidz project themselves, which amounts to £133,204.

Splitzkidz has been running since 2004, helping about 320 children during this time, but it would have been forced to close if the grant had not been secured, despite there being a waiting list of more than 60 children.

Executive director of Splitz, Fran Lewis, who set the charity up 21 years ago, said: “We would just have to close the project without this funding, as we need to pay support workers for the work they do.

“It means our support worker Mike Bedford can continue to provide support to children in Wiltshire, who have been harmed through witnessing domestic violence at home.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the local people who got involved with fundraising events for BBC Children in Need.

“Without your efforts, we would not have been able to receive this fabulous grant which will help us to reach children who really need our help.”

The project aims to help children aged between 11 and 15 overcome their personal difficulties and challenges as a result of domestic violence, as well as improve their communication and achieve a sense of well being.

The money not only funds the support worker, but all of the costs that come with providing the service, including the hiring of rooms for events or meetings, advertising and travel costs.

Splitz works with both children and their parents to help them deal with the after-effects of domestic abuse.

Support is provided through one-to-one meetings at home, school or other safe venue.

Referrals are made by both parents or other agencies such as social services or schools.

Referrals can be made by phoning the Splitz office on 01225 777724 or by using the online referral form on the website www.splitz.org. People can also make donations through calling this number.