Haslemere Youth Hub has warned it is fighting for its future as it faces a £254,000 funding gap, putting vital support for vulnerable young people at risk.

The community charity, founded in 2019 by Nadeana Simpson and Karen Garland, says rising demand, shrinking funding opportunities and local government reorganisation have created the "most stressful" period in its history.

"We as a youth hub have £254,000 to raise," Nadeana said. "That's a lot of coffee to sell and a lot of spaces to fill."

Nadeana said the charity no longer expected to rely on future National Lottery funding because Haslemere was no longer seen as facing sufficient deprivation.

"People think we're wealthy and we're fine, but we've had 67 safeguarding incidents since last Christmas alone," she said. "There are county lines issues, safeguarding concerns, a mental health crisis and many other issues that children in our area need support with. People think Haslemere is this little bubble, and it's not."

The hub supports 110 to 165 young people a week through youth clubs, SEND sessions, home education groups and mental health support.

Nadeana said changes to grant funding and Surrey's move to a new unitary authority had left the charity deeply concerned.

"We're worried that this well will dry up with the move to unitary," she said. "The youth hub is genuinely concerned about how we can keep going."

A spokesperson for The National Lottery Community Fund said: ”We fund projects across the UK, with our funding open to all communities.

”As part of our strategy, It Starts With Community, we are committed to supporting the places, people and communities who need it the most as a funder of grass-roots community activity.

Haslemere Town Council has agreed to establish a working party to explore what support it can offer the Youth Hub and help secure its long-term future.

Nadeana added: "We're going to keep fighting, but we need your help."