A VITAL town charity which helps homeless youngsters has been saved at the eleventh hour by a huge grant from the National Lottery Charities Board.

Redditch Nightstop was set up in 1987 and had been funded by the charities board up until May, when the funding ended.

The charity was offered £10,000 each year for three years by the Tudor Trust but it needed to find £20,000 by October to survive.

Despite tireless fund-raising and individual donations, the charity failed to raise the funds needed but has now been saved, just a month before extinction loomed, thanks to a £63,690 grant from the Lottery Charities Board.

Nightstop offers support to young people who find themselves without a home for a variety of reasons, including fleeing violence, family breakdown and leaving care.

But its most important role is offering emergency accommodation through host families to youngsters who would otherwise be homeless.

Co-ordinator Gillian Groom said: "We're delighted and extremely motivated now Nightstop's future has been secured for three years.

"Not only will the money allow us to continue providing emergency accommodation but we'll now also be able to develop a resettlement programme.

"This will involve supporting young people with independent living through teaching basic living skills."

Management committee chairman Alistair Plummer thanked staff and host volunteers for their efforts and the Tudor Trust and charities board for their grants.

He said: "These grants will help Nightstop respond positively to the hardship of young homeless people."

Cate Gander, residents support co-ordinator for Redditch YMCA, said: "We're delighted funding from the lottery will ensure the continuation of a valuable service which has received a great deal of support from the YMCA.

"Plans for working even more closely with Nightstop in the future are under consideration."

For details on supporting Nightstop, call 66036.