The focus of the charity is to provide help and funding, through community based projects, to families, children and young people in the region who are experiencing a range of problems and difficulties in their lives.
Watson was involved in organising the missionaries in the impoverished areas of the city and was approached by Lunn in June 1891, with an offer to fund a trip to the coast for some of the street children who would benefit from time away from their dismal existence.
The 'Street Vendors Club' was established on Percy Street, close to the head office which at the time was located where the Eldon Square Shopping Centre stands today.
In November 1988, the organisation registered their new name, 'Children North East',[4] which better reflected the changing society and the variation of projects which catered for the needs of needy and vulnerable children in a range of circumstances across the region.
The objectives of the community based projects focus on improving local children's life experience, their relationships with others and building their self-esteem.
Whilst poverty is still an issue, the charity aims to address the needs of local children on a far wider basis, within education as well as their home life.
Annual events include 'The Sandcastle Challenge' which is held in July and unites school children from the area at the beach at South Shields, 'The Sandcastle Ball' which is a fundraising event held on a Summers evening at one of the region's hotels and 'The Annual Golf Tournament' in which teams pay to enter, raising funds, and competing to win.