A CONFIDENTIAL advice and support service that helps young people through tough times faces a funding crisis.

The free helpline ASK was initially set up to tackle the risk-taking behaviour of youngsters in the West Cornforth, Shildon and Ferryhill areas.

Run by the Cornforth Partnership, in West Cornforth, the service was a huge success.

It is now part of the DISC Horizon project, which supports young adult carers across County Durham and operates via text message.

Demand continues to grow but with three years of Big Lottery funding about to run out on December 31 its future is uncertain.

Karen Lynn, chief executive of Cornforth Partnership, said money is available to keep the line open for a short period but financial backing is desperately needed and fast.

She said: “It costs £40,000 a year for 57 hours of helpline activity a week.We are desperate to sustain it and will exhaust all avenues because of the volume of people using it and the help they need.

“We’re waiting for the outcome of some funding bids, there is fundraising planned and we would really love some private sponsorship because its benefits are huge.”

So far this year the helpline has handled almost 1,200 text messages, relating to 443 individual issues, and seen the number of young people thinking about self-harming rocket by 1000 per cent.

Project co-ordinator Tony Cutmore, one of the trained youth workers who man the helpline, said: “We help people aged 14 to 25 with anything that is worrying them, they may need practical help or someone to talk to about something they find embarrassing, stressful or feel unable to talk to friends or family about face to face.

“It ranges from sex, relationships and bullying to alcohol and drug misuse. We can either signpost them to other agencies for help, give them information and options to make good decisions or reassure them they are not alone, simply contacting the line can be the distraction they need.”

The helpline team is trained to answer text messages carefully and runs a buddy system for staff to compare advice and support one another when the nature of the texts they receive is upsetting.

Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson said: “This helpline helps so many young people get the support and answers to questions they need.

“It is good to see modern technology put to use in a positive way and I urge any organisation considering funding it to give their support.”

To make a donation visit the website localgiving.com/askhelpline or call 01740-652000.

To contact the helpline text ASK and your question to 80800, Monday to Friday 10am to 9pm and Sundays 3pm to 5pm.