A CAMPAIGN to save a charity which offers vital support for local young people suffering from learning difficulties has got off to a “disappointing” start.

Officials from Ryedale Special Families are urging local residents to donate old and broken mobile phones, which will generate much needed cash for the beleaguered organisation.

Since the campaign was launched, only 50 handsets have been handed in to 10 different collection points across the district.

Last year the charity, which helps around 330 families from across Ryedale and beyond, was forced to cut back some of its services after missing out on vital funding.

Chief officer David Brewster said about £35,000 is needed to save the group.

He said: “We were hoping for more donated mobile phones and it is a little disappointing. If everybody in the area donated their unused mobile phones it would solve all our financial worries. But we are hopeful that once the summer holidays are out of the way, families will have more time to dig out their old and broken handsets.”

The Gazette & Herald is supporting the initiative after the Old Malton-based charity lost funding from both the Big Lottery and Children in Need earlier this year.

But the organisation has received a massive boost recently after hearing news of two separate windfall grants.

He added: “Last week we found out that United Co-op will donate £10,000, which is absolutely fantastic. Coupled with a £2,000 grant from North Yorkshire County Council, this is encouraging news for Ryedale Special Families. But we still have a long way to go and the mobile phone appeal still forms a major part of our fundraising efforts.”

The appeal is run through a group called FoneAid which gives the charity £3 for every handset donated. Handsets are then sent to developing countries such as Africa where they are re-used.

Anybody with any donations can drop them off at the Gazette & Herald office in Yorkersgate, Malton, or the charity’s base at 121 Town Street, Old Malton. There are also collection points at all libraries in the district as well as Jackson’s supermarket in Malton or Community House in Wentworth Street, Malton.