Campaigners are hoping to save a vital charity which may have to close due to lack of funding.

FACES (Families Affected by Caring Empowerment Services) of Kent, which supports young carers in Sheppey and Sittingbourne, is likely to shut this month with the loss of five jobs.

The charity, formerly based in Broadway, Sheerness, no longer receives statutory funding from Kent County Council (KCC) and support it was getting from Comic Relief and the Carers’ Trust ended last month.

Now in Park Road, Sittingbourne, FACES helps more than 400 young people who care for a relative and has supported more than 4,000 since its 1998 launch.

There are a number of funding applications in the pipeline but if they are successful it will not be until next year – and they need £40,000 in the meantime to continue.

Staff have written to KCC and Swale council to ask for emergency support as well as businesses and councillors.

Final meetings will be in Sheerness on Tuesday and in Sittingbourne on Thursday.

Chief executive Sandie Hornby says it will be with a very heavy heart if they do shut.

“We have not taken the decision lightly. It’s been one that none of us have wanted to make and have delayed for as long as possible,” she said.

“We are privileged to work with wonderful young people and their families and are so disappointed that we may not be able to in future.”

Danielle Smith set up a Facebook page, Save FACES of Kent, and is launching a petition in a bid to save it.

Her son Kai, 11, is disabled and his sister Aiah, nine, relies on FACES to support her as she often helps care for her brother.

Miss Smith said: “They really support my daughter – she goes to clubs most weeks and meets other young carers and gets support she wouldn’t otherwise get.

“Children with a sibling with special needs, with the best will in the world, sometimes don’t get the attention they need and it can be quite isolating.

“FACES is something for her – it’s been her little escape and she would be absolutely devastated if it went.

“It’s a vital service.”

Aiah, of Shortlands Road, Sittingbourne, said: “It means a lot to me because it means I get a break.

“I have made some really good friends and it means everything to me.”