A CHARITY which works with vulnerable young people in East Lancashire has issued a plea for help.

Rawtenstall-based M3 Project is appealing for people to come forward to donate just 50p which would see the homeless charity provide a room for the night for a youngster in need.

MORE TOP STORIES:

While the charity is based in Rossendale, it aims to help 16 to 25 year olds throughout East Lancashire including in Burnley, Pendle, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

Project manager Alan Dorrington said: “We recently gained charitable status and know that our finances will be changing because local authorities face budget cuts.

“As a result, we are reviewing our income and have introduced three ways that people can help M3.

“They can sponsor a room for a vulnerable young person, make a one-off donation or agree to a monthly donation that can also be used to help our teenage family project.

“By helping our organisation you are not just providing a vulnerable young person with a safe place they can call home, you are also helping them get access to training, education or work and learn life skills so they can go on to live independently.

“Like all organisations we are having to review how we are funded.

“We are determined to continue the excellent work we do at M3 and we will be happy to go out into the communities we serve to discuss how our project works and the difference your donations will make.

“Many of the lodging providers are single people who do not have children or whose children have left home. Some are couples and they are all supported by our project workers.

“Many people wrongly perceive homelessness to be a Manchester or London problem with people living in cardboard boxes but it also affects rural areas where people will sofa surf seeking temporary accommodation in a friend’s house.”

Between 2012 and 2013 M3 provided nearly 7.500 days of accommodation to almost 70 young people in East Lancashire.

M3 was established in 2003 and has since helped hundreds of young people.

For more information or to donate to the charity appeal call 01706 216600 or e-mail info@rossendalem3.org