A MOTOR dealership has pledged its backing to a children's charity.

Bristol Street Motors Keighley Vauxhall  in Cross Hills is helping to raise awareness and funds for Skipton based charity SELFA which provides a range of support to children who are experiencing vulnerabilities, and their families.

It operates across Skipton and Craven.

Bristol Street Motors' involvement is supporting efforts by five-year-old Archie Rowe and his family to coin-in desperately-needed funds for the cause.

Archie – whose grandmother, Tracy Watson, is a service advisor at the dealership – receives help from SELFA through its children's clubs, and was keen to 'give back'.

He, his friends and family have already raised £2,810 with a sponsored walk and raffle, and an auction of two pairs of football boots belonging to Bradford City players is expected to take the total to over £3,000.

Archie says: "I love SELFA because everyone plays with me, and it is so much fun!

"I have friends at SELFA, and I like the adults. I wanted to help SELFA with its school holiday club, and the other children who go."

Tribute is paid by the charity's chief executive, Emma Pears.

She says: "Archie’s determination – together with the support received from his friends, family and Bristol Street Motors Keighley Vauxhall – is truly inspiring.

"Running a charity, especially one that is as specialist as SELFA, is financially tougher than ever these days. Charities need all the help they can get to provide the support that has a hugely positive impact on the lives of people like Archie and his family.

"Clearly their enthusiasm for our work is so strong it has inspired Bristol Street Motors to get involved, and I’m really pleased to have its support. Anything that can be done to raise awareness is welcome."

Tracy thanked her colleagues at the dealership for their backing.

She said: "Seeing the difference SELFA has made in Archie’s life has been wonderful.

"I am so grateful to everyone at Bristol Street Motors for their support, and I'm incredibly proud of Archie.

"I hope the fundraising goes some way to ensuring that the charity can keep going with its amazing work, supporting families like our own."

Archie's mum, Caitlen, says: "Since starting at SELFA, there hasn’t been a day that Archie didn’t want to go.

"It really is our lifeline.

"We are blown away by all the support we've received and would like to thank everyone."