BORIS Johnson has pledged to help the 26,690 children who are living in poverty in this borough by setting up the Mayor s Fund. The new charity will work towards helping disadvantaged youngsters and their families throughout London. In October last year B

BORIS Johnson has pledged to help the 26,690 children who are living in poverty in this borough by setting up the Mayor's Fund.

The new charity will work towards helping disadvantaged youngsters and their families throughout London.

In October last year Barking and Dagenham was named among 12 other boroughs as a hotspot for child poverty in the capital.

End Child Poverty charity said that over half the youngsters in our borough were living below the breadline, with parents claiming benefits and tax credits to support their families.

Of the 45,000 children in Barking and Dagenham 26,690 are from low income backgrounds.

A staggering 76 per cent (2,445) of youngsters living in Gascoigne Ward are impoverished, defined by a household living 60 per cent below the median wage.

On Tuesday April 7, the Mayor announced his plan to help 600,000 children across the city.

The Mayor's Fund is an independent charity and aims to have an annual turnover of �20million by 2013.

It will take "tough action" on child poverty by investing in projects that tackle the problem, and ensuring they get access to services they need.

Boris Johnson said: "We want to draw riches from wealthy creators to give life-changing support to the poorest Londoners."

Barking and Dagenham council already have several initiatives including a Children's Centre and Job Centre where staff make tailored programmes for parents to find a path out of poverty.