SOUTH Yorkshire youth homelessness charity Roundabout has launched a major crowdfunding campaign as it aims to keep some of the region’s most vulnerable young people warm this winter.

Roundabout has applied for funding from the Co-op Match Funding programme to support its Homeless Prevention Service, keeping the office warm and open throughout winter for any young people needing to access housing advice and support.

But to qualify and receive Co-op support the charity has to raise at least £3,000.

Roundabout now supports well over 300 young people aged 16-25 every day, providing emergency accommodation in its hostel, supporting young people in residential projects in Sheffield and Rotherham and providing key services delivering comprehensive programmes of training, involvement and empowerment which help to prepare young people for independent living.

The Homeless Prevention Advice service, based in Sheffield city centre, offers support to young people who are homeless, or who are at risk of becoming homeless, listening and giving advice about available housing options, from planned moves to emergency accommodation.

More than 5,000 people, including 2,000 children, are currently recorded as homeless in the Yorkshire and Humber region, according to the latest figures.

And with private rents and living costs continuing to spiral, thousands of young people are not just facing a winter of worry but are also at risk of losing any safe space they might have had.

“The £1m match fund has been launched by Co-op to support local organisations who are supporting their communities through rising costs this winter, by bringing people together into warm spaces,” said Roundabout Chief Executive Ben Keegan.

“Roundabout has applied for funding specifically to support our Homeless Prevention Service, keeping our service warm and open this winter for any young people needing to access housing advice and support.”

For every donation made towards the project, Co-op will match that figure up to a total of £250.

There’s a maximum of £3,000 available, but to achieve that, the charity itself first has to raise £3,000.

Roundabout has launched a crowdfunding pageand has already achieved more than £1,300 – but that figure now needs to more than double.

“Our campaign must reach its target to receive match funding and if fails, the match fund pledges will be cancelled,” said Ben.

“Please do support us and help us ensure that Homeless Prevention Advice service continues to provide warmth and a haven at this most difficult time of the year.”