A GROUP formed to help homeless youngsters faces closure unless a benefactor can be found.

LEAP, which was launched two years ago in Leigh with backing from a children's charity, has failed to secure local authority cash and is now fighting for life.

The Bold Street-based group, which has helped over 1,000 young people find a secure future, needs at least £50,000 to buy some time, but the battle to raise necessary funding will go on.

Steering committee chairman George Bridge said: "We have demonstrated we are helping young people find a way in life, now we must do all we can to find the means to keep going.

"The group helps young people whose home life is falling apart and teenagers coming out of care who are left to find their own way in the world.

"They are not really geared up to face the authorities and we help to point them in the right direction."

The organisation arose from Leigh TUC Centre's work on poverty in the Leigh area, the work of the Leigh Homeless Campaign and from many people and agencies working professionally with the young.

They all believed there were problems among youngsters in Leigh and district including insecurity, stress and vulnerability that led into drift and homelessness. As a result LEAP was formed with the backing and management of National Children's Homes who made a three year financial commitment.

A spokesman for the charity said: "It is agreed that LEAP services are unique within Wigan borough."

The charity and local steering committee hoped to attract core funding from the council by demonstrating a quality service from LEAP.

They expected support, naming nine reasons why they should receive backing.

These include the fact that their work fills a gap in the provision for vulnerable young people, because their drop-in work provides help that is not available elsewhere and the group is giving young people the self-esteem, confidence and hope of which they have been deprived.

Their proven record shows how successful they have been in helping those who have been excluded to be included.

Steering committee secretary, Alan Gawith, said: "We do recognise that local authority finances are not unlimited and that the statutory responsibilities of our borough must determine priorities.

'However if we cannot save LEAP then the human price to pay in the lives of those young men and women will be great.

"We do recognise and are grateful to Wigan MBC for other help we have received, but most of all we are grateful for the support that LEAP and its staff have received all the way along from workers in the field from local authority, health and voluntary agencies."

A Wigan Council spokesman said: "The council has supported LEAP to the tune of £12,000 over the past two years. We were more than happy to continue with that contribution since we recognise the good work that the group has done.

"What the council could not do was to take over the £122,000 funding previously provided by NCH. This was never part of the original plan when the group was set up.

"To expect Wigan Council to step in and meet these substantial extra costs, particularly when there are so many other pressures on local authority budgets and council tax payers, is unrealistic.

"We were helping NCH to explore other sources of finance, and we did also look at the possibility of extra support as part of our budget growth process, but like many other excellent projects it proved impossible to support in the current financial climate.

"However we would be sorry to see LEAP close and we wish the steering committee well in its efforts to secure alternative funding."