DISAPPOINTED charity volunteers said their plans have come to a standstill after losing out on a third bid for £300,000 lottery funding.

Worcester Roots Foundation had applied to the Big Lottery Fund for five years core funding for a staff member to develop the charity and allow it to become self-sustaining.

The environmental-based youth volunteering charity for people aged 16 to 25 is now looking for any funding, corporate sponsorship or donations.

Project manager Tash Gia-quinto said: “We have a huge demand from young people who wouldn’t let it close but we can’t move forward and we are stuck where we are.

“What we really need is a member of staff to devote their time to the charity and project.

“The project is so worthy and over the years it has pro-ved itself because young people continue to join.”

About 50 young volunteers make up the foundation with 15 heading up a steering group which meets every week.

They hope projects such as a planned food co-op with the Fold at Bransford, educational toolkits for schools and selling upcycled items will help to raise much needed funds.

Young People from Roots have also got behind the Future Generations Campaign and spoken with politicians about the need for a parliamentary committee to look over legislation to check if it has a detrimental effect to future generations.

Big Lottery Fund asked the foundation to remove its first bid in 2011 because it said the remit to work with 16 to 20 was too broad. They took the advice and resubmitted a bid for funding aimed at 16 to 25 years olds who were classed as NEET (Not in education, employment or training) but lost out again at the final stage.

Despite being disappointed, they were told they had come close to securing funding so submitted a third and final unsuccessful bid.

Anyone who can help should e-mail tash@worcesterrootsfoundation.org.uk.