CHARITY head Elizabeth Forrester is appealing for financial help from business and grant bodies to save her group from folding.

Mrs Forrester is the administrator of VISYON, a Congleton-based group funded by South Cheshire Health Authority.

However that funding is due to end in March 2000, and if the charity is to continue its work with young people it needs to find £50,000 in the next six months.

VISYON stands for Voluntary Initiative Supporting Young People's Ongoing Needs, and provides a mental health support service for local young people and families.

"Since 1994, when there were three suicides of young Congleton people VISYON has worked to plug the gap in services it believes is a factor in such a tragic turn of events," said Mrs Forrester.

"The project is almost unique in its approach to working with distressed young people, and much of its work centres around schools in the area.

"The headquarters in Congleton offers young people somehwere to go which can help them through hard times, and VISYON is firmly established with an important role in the community.

"However the pleas for continued funds are not heard sympathetically by those in power."

VISYON is based at 43a West Street, and for more details ring 290000.

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