An appeal has been launched to send disadvantaged Maidstone children to summer camp.

The search is on to find 600 local people willing to donate £10 towards the cost of sending a youngster, who would not otherwise get a holiday, on a five-day activity break in Sussex.

Captain Lynne Clifton, the family ministry officer at Maidstone Salvation Army Church and Community Centre in Union Street, said: “This year we have had an unprecedented number of referrals for children to go to The Salvation Army camp.

“We now need to be able to quickly raise the finances to ensure that each of the 40 local children, who for various reasons are facing difficult circumstances, can go on a holiday.”

Volunteer-run camps allow youngsters to do swimming, sports and games, crafts and woodland activities, in an environment designed to boost their self-esteem.

Each place costs £350, most of which is subsidised by the Salvation Army and parents, but the charity needs to raise another £150 per child by the end of July to enable everyone to attend.

Donations should be in an envelope marked “Summer Camp Appeal”, addressed to Captain Lynne Clifton, Family Ministry Officer, Maidstone Salvation Army, 74-80 Union Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1ED.Cheques are payable to The Salvation Army.

Alternatively go online at www.justgiving.com/LSECAMP/