THE generosity of Times readers and a local fundraiser have saved the Tavistock and District Conservation Project.
The project had been in danger of closing down because of delay by the National Lottery Charities Board.
But after reading an appeal in the Times, local people have donated £640 — and Jeff Sleeman has given £245, the proceeds of an Acoustic Cafe music night.
Treasurer George Swayne said: 'This has given us a breathing space, for which we are very grateful.
'Everything now depends on how long we have to wait for a grant.'
The project, which has been caring for the local environment for ten years, applied in July for a renewal of its Lottery 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 8.
The group now hopes it will be able to keep going until the Lottery board reaches a decision, but is still asking for contributions to help bridge the gap.
The group has three staff to pay, who have been working shorter hours, as well as a minibus to run and expenses for 50 volunteers and office overheads.
It 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.
The project 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.