Charity's desperate plea for vital funding

Streetlife, which runs a night shelter for young people near St John’s Church, is urging people to commit to donating £5 a month.

Its 2020 campaign hopes to persuade 2,020 people to sign up by the year 2020.

The charity, which also runs a support centre on Buchanan Street, launched the initiative in front of guests including Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden, Blackpool Mayor Coun Kath Rowson, High Sheriff of Lancashire John Barnett and the Bishop of Lancaster Geoff Pearson at The Village Hotel in Marton.

The charity needs to seek new funding streams after Blackpool Council axed its £45,000 a year grant in 2014 as part of budget cuts.

It was able to keep going thanks to a £430,000 Lottery grant last year.

Streetlife chief executive Jane Hugo said: “We have two choices, either we allow the funding to run its course and close the doors on hundreds of vulnerable young people, or we carry on seeking the funding and support of a community which looks out for each other.

“We need people’s help to help turn these lives around which is why the 2020 campaign is so important to us.

“Without the donations we receive we are unable to plug the deficit this charity has been left with.”

Ms Lane said: “Streetlife is a family for the people who are affected by broken homes, social problems and various other tragic situations.”

The charity currently supports more than 400 young people each year. It is the only organisation providing emergency accommodation to young people in and around Blackpool.

Mr Marsden said: “This is a really important initiative and an incredible testament to the valuable work Streetlife does in helping young people who have real problems in Blackpool.

“People need to realise that Lottery funding can only do so much which is why I am backing the 2020 campaign.”

Anyone who can help should go to www.wearestreetlife.org to find out how to help.