A SCHEME which supports young people who run away from home is facing a financial crisis.

Bolton charity Urban Outreach has lost its funding from the Children's Fund, which pays for its Missing From Home programme.

The Fund, which works in partnership with Bolton Council, decided not to continue backing the scheme from the beginning of April, leaving the charity desperate to find alternative sources of revenue.

Dave Bagley, director of Urban Outreach, is determined that the funding decision will not affect the scheme and the number of children it helps.

"Bolton has always been a few steps ahead of other areas in dealing with the problem of runaways and we have been recognised nationally by many forums as leading the way," he said.

"The money was provided from 2001 to 2004, but we were invited to re-apply for the next period. We were under the impression that at least some, if not all of the funding would be renewed.

"It came as quite a shock when we were only told a couple of weeks ago that all funding would be withdrawn from our vital work at the end of March."

In the short term, funding has been found within the charity and Mr Bagley is confident the scheme will continue to go from strength to strength.

He is on the fund-raising "trail", applying to several national trusts to raise the £60,000 the scheme needs annually to keep going. If support is not found soon, the scheme's future could be in doubt.

The Missing From Home scheme was set up two years ago to help children who run away from home. There are 600 reports of missing children every year in Bolton.

Mr Bagley said: "If a child under 16 is sleeping rough in Bolton, that is a catastrophe. At such a young age, you are extremely vulnerable and can be taken advantage of very easily.

"Home is the best place to be and if children cannot be at home, we offer them practical support to meet their basic needs and ensure they are safe."

A study commissioned by the Rowntree Foundation has shown that out of 55 prostitutes interviewed, 53 of them had a history of running away from home.

"If we can discourage children from leaving home we cannot only keep children safe, but prevent them from from getting involved in crime or being exploited in sex work,"said Mr Bagley.

Charity workers visit all primary and secondary schools in the Bolton area to discuss with pupils the dangers of running away from home. Mr Bagley said: "If we can get every child in Bolton to remember that they are not alone and do have someone to talk to, then they may not need to run away."

A spokesman for Bolton Children's Fund said: "Funding for the Children's Fund Programme 2001 to 2004 was allocated under a number of 'key area' headings. This particular project came under the key area of Direct Services for Children.

"All projects funded through all key areas were only ever contracted to be funded until March 31, 2004. We will, of course, do all we can in suggesting other sources of funding."