A CHARITY that organises nature-based activities for young offenders and disadvantaged youths has been helped out with a £5,000 grant.

The TurnAround Project, set up by the Chelmsford-based Wilderness Foundation, received the money from the Nationwide Foundation, the building society's charitable arm.

The cash will allow one additional young person to join the project's January 2009 intake and take part in wilderness trails, skills workshops and volunteering.

Eddie Charles, project manager of TurnAround said: "We are very grateful to the Nationwide Foundation for this donation.

"It will make a dramatic difference to the life of a young person in Essex and help them to get back on track.

"It is our aim to intervene and help vulnerable young people before they get to the point of being taken into custody.

"With this long-term project and the support of organisations like the Nationwide, we can do that."