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The Escape Youth Group was set up in 2006 by two former Croydon students who wanted to find a way of getting young people off the streets in the long summer holidays.听

This year the project which is entirely run by volunteers saw over 70 young people taking part in the hugely popular free workshops which range from arts, music to media, poetry and dance.

Now the founders, teenagers Andre Hackett and Richard Abiona face having to dig into their own savings to meet some of the 拢5,000 shortfall they are left with after having their application to the Youth Opportunities Fund听 (YOF) refused.

Andre who was only told weeks after completing this year鈥檚 scheme that the YOF does not provide retrospective funding for projects says he was 鈥榮hocked鈥� at the decision.

鈥淥ur application was made way back in June and as late as the end of September we were still being told to make a pitch for the money鈥�, he said

So far, the group has given hundreds young people the opportunity to do something constructive with their spare time.听

Andre Hackett & Rev. Dr Mercy Wood

Without this initiative, many of them would have been hanging around the streets or even being drawn into gangs and anti-social behaviour.

Escape Youth Group has also encouraged the young people to support others less fortunate than themselves.听 "Our slogan is young people help ourselves by helping others", explained Andre

And to put that into action, the young people raised money for a homeless charity in Ghana run by the charity Wood World Missions.

17 year old Ciarra Nevitt took part in the scheme last year but came back this year as a volunteer to lead drama workshops.听 For her, the group shows the positive impact that teenagers can have on the community.

Richard and Andre are now appealing to local businesses and organisations particularly, those which have supported the work of the project, for help.

To find out more about Escape Youth Group or to contact them, visit their website.听 Link top right hand of this page.

Are you one of those young people who've been involved with Escape? How do you feel about it's possible demise? What has it meant for you?

Email me evadney.campbell@bbc.co.uk