A MAJOR fundraising campaign has been launched in a desperate attempt to protect the future of a popular youth organisation in Tavistock.

Tavistock Youth Café in Pixon Lane provides a meeting place and safe environment for young people in Tavistock to socialise and learn new skills.

Throughout the week, the not-for-profit organisation hosts a series of evening sessions, including the Zephyr Music Project, teaching drums and guitar, a young women's group, young men's group, street sports and chill-out sessions on Fridays.

These allow users to develop new skills, gain accreditations and awards, become volunteers and senior members, get involved in the running and planning of sessions and projects, learn to fundraise, and to relax, play games, pool, watch DVDs, and access the internet free of charge.

The staff also organise trips out and provide a full summer programme of activities for the young people using the centre. The youth café also offers advice guidance and sign posting to young people in a confidential one-to-one space.?This can include, sexual health, drug and alcohol awareness, careers, home issues, housing issues and various other subjects that affect young people.

But as the building's usage increases, the facilities at the café are becoming stretched — the building is in a sorry state, rotting from the base up and will need to be demolished in the next year.

Vicky Lloyd, manager of the youth café. said: 'The need for money is urgent; the youth café provides so much for young people in Tavistock and surrounding area.

'We must have a decent building to work out of and for young people to recognise and use as their own space.

'The youth café not only provides a range of activities and opportunities for young people but we also have various user groups which rely on the space and its facilities and the link that it gives them to our organisation.'

The target figure to demolish the building and replace it is £150,000. Youth café directors and members have created a fundraising committee and are currently in the process of registering the organisation as a community interest company, which will enable it to apply for funding from grant providers.

The youth café funding group is looking for support from businesses, clubs and organisations around the town. The team will be putting collection boxes around shops, and appealing to local organisations for support.

The team is also busy working on a series of fundraisers for 2013.

A band night recently held at the Tavistock Inn and organised by college student Joanne Ross with help from the youth café's Zephyr project , raised £222. The Lions of Tavistock raised £670 at their murder mystery evening at the Terrace Restaurant last week.

There are three fundraising events coming up, including 'Chariokey' at the HQ Bar on Wednesday, February 20 where people can donate a £1 to sing.

On March 16 there will be a Swimathon at Meadowlands and on Saturday, April 13, the Rock and Roll Outlaws are lending their support with a gig at the Tavy Club.

Anyone who can help the campaign in any way can call Vicki on 07800813667 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]