A charity for troubled youngsters could close because of a lack of funding.

Fairbridge in Kent, which is based in the Historic Dockyard, Chatham, is under threat after failing to secure sufficient funding.

The charity has helped hundreds of young people in Medway turn their lives around.

Many have taken part in a wide range of programmes to help them face their problems.

The problems some of the teenagers have been helped with include exclusion from school, offending behaviour, substance abuse, homelessness and mental health issues.

A campaign to try to save the centre has been launched on social networking site Facebook. Anyone wishing to support the cause is asked to sign up to it, and already more than 120 people have done so.

Sources close to the charity say the need for it will only become greater in the coming months, because of the current economic climate.

It is believed the charity needs to find an extra £55,000 within the next two weeks to stay open.

Mark Frodsham, head of communications at Fairbridge, said: “Fairbridge targets its operations in areas of greatest need but can only work successfully where the environment is supportive.

“This support needs to include an element of financial commitment and unfortunately in Kent and Medway we have so far been unable to secure the level needed to ensure the centre is sustainable.

“The situation is such that, in absence of this local commitment, we have been forced to consider the possible closure of the centre.

“Fairbridge remains deeply committed to your young people and it is our earnest desire to continue operations in Kent and Medway.

“We are working with the local authorities to secure the funding necessary to remain open.”

Cllr Bill Esterson (Lab), whose ward includes the Historic Dockyard said he had asked the council to consider awarding funding to the charity.