THE Tavistock and District Conservation Project — in danger of packing up because of delay by the National Lottery Charities Board — is appealing to the public for financial help.
The T&DCP, which has been caring for the local environment for ten years, applied in July for a renewal of its grant and was promised a reply by December — but none came.
It was then told that January 4 was the date for a decision. But on January 4 it had a letter saying the decision had been deferred to February 7.
The charity's treasurer, George Swayne, said he had then been told that the board needed more information, but when he rang its office he could not find out what the board wanted to know.
'Even if we hear the outcome on February 7, there could be further delay in getting a contract and receiving the money,' said Mr Swayne.
'We have three staff to pay, a minibus to run, expenses for our 50 volunteers and office overheads — and at the moment no money coming in.
'If we do not find some income soon we shall have to put staff on to short time for a few weeks and after that pack up altogether.'
T&DCP applied for £120,000 from the Lottery, out of a £230,000 budget for the next three years.
Last year the Lottery awarded it £21,000, which was around half of its expenditure.
English Nature, the state body for the countryside, has given it a small grant over two years. For the rest it has to rely on the charges it can make to clients.
Mr Swayne said the charity was appealing to the public to raise £4,500 to help it carry on.
T&DCP has been notable for its work on paths such as the Tamar Valley Trail between Launceston and Bere Ferrers, the Two Castles Trail from Launceston to Okehampton and the Viaduct Walk across Tavistock.
It has also built walls, maintained hedges, dug ponds, planted woods, guided walks and sold vegetable boxes.