Teen to sing in BBC Children in Need choir

Bethel attends Triangular CIO, which gives young people a chance to talk about discrimination

A 13-year-old will sing live as part of the BBC Children in Need Choir for this year's appeal show.

For the first time, the choir will feature children and young people who have been supported by local projects funded by the charity.

Bethel's family, who now live in Newcastle, are from Ethiopia and moved to the UK as refugees shortly before she was born.

"I absolutely love singing and can't wait," she said.

Bethel takes part in a project run by the Tyneside refugee charity Triangular CIO.

The scheme she attends gives young people the chance to discuss the experiences of discrimination and racism they have faced.

She said the charity, which is funded by BBC Children in Need, had helped her family "feel accepted" in the UK.

She will be singing in a choir of 19 children during the 15 November telethon.

The group will sing Take That song Never Forget and be supported by the Halle Youth Training Choir.

BBC Children in Need currently funds 61 projects across north-east England and Cumbria to the value of nearly £4m.