A CARE farm in Sherborne has launched an appeal for funding as it has continued to provide its services to help vulnerable people in Dorset throughout the coronavirus crisis, but has seen a significant decline in donations.

Future Roots is a charitable organisation that uses farming, animal therapy and the countryside to provide solutions to health and social problems in people aged between eight and 18. It also offers care to adults and older people.

The organisation has launched the appeal due to the cancellation of a number of upcoming fundraising events in order to adhere to social distancing rules and to keep their staff and those that use the service safe.

Future Roots founder, Julie Plumley, said: "We work with young people who have got quite severe challenges in life that make learning difficult. We are phoning 85 of the young people every fortnight and have continued to see up to 60 of them each week on the farm.

"All of the frontline workers are putting themselves at risk but our team do not consider that they are also putting themselves at risk despite coming to work everyday. The are just doing what they can to help these young people.

"We need funding to keep us going right now. I do feel that we get forgotten about because we aren't big. We are not the NHS, although we are a health service, so we fall between the gaps with a lot of funding and this organisation needs it."

Future Roots have set up a Crowdfunder page with the aim of raising £15,000 to help pay for the services that they provide for young people. This figure was decided upon after considering the amount they normally raise at events that have been cancelled this year due to coronavirus.

Julie said: "We raise money each year by doing talks at schools, churches and local groups which we can't do this year. The agricultural show and classic car show often raise money but they are not on anymore.

"We even raffle a tractor off every year but we can't do that this year because there is nowhere to sell the tickets."

Since it was founded in 2006, Future Roots has helped over 1000 young people by offering them support and guidance.

Julie added: "Our young people are young people to be proud of. They come here when their reputation isn't great but when they leave here they are the kind of people you want as a neighbour.

"We say that we never replace their parents of carers but we are part of an extended family that look out for them and can give them a sense of belonging which is so important for young people who have suffered hardship in their lives and don't know who they are."

You can donate to Future Roots until June 22 at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/futureroots.