A CHARITY that helps transgender children and their families will get a £500,000 lottery grant after a review of the funding.
The cheque to Mermaids had been paused after critics claimed the group encouraged kids to transition against scientific evidence and standards.
Yesterday the National Lottery Community Fund revealed it will pay out after rejecting all the allegations.
In a statement it said: “We undertook a review of a number of concerns expressed.
“This review did not find any grounds to withhold funding from Mermaids UK. The grant has therefore been approved.” The money will be paid over five years.
A backlash began last December, with Father Ted creator Graham Linehan among the critics. He called the idea of more clinics “terrifying”.
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Tory MP David Davies said: “I am absolutely horrified the Big Lottery Fund are handing out a fortune to this aggressive organisation.”
Yesterday trans campaigner Paris Lees praised the go-ahead: tweeting: “@Mermaids_Gender save lives.”
Its chief exec Susie Green said: “We will be able do more to improve outcomes and experiences for transgender and gender-diverse young people.”
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