Youngsters in Shropshire may miss out on a potentially life-saving scheme due to a lack of funding.

Crucial Crew has been held at the Nesscliffe Army Training Camp for 12 years – but is facing the axe next year due to a lack of sponsorship.

The safety event is held annually for 10-year-olds from schools in Oswestry and Shrewsbury.

Youngsters are put through a series of scenarios covering electricity, water, fire, farm and road safety, vandalism and theft.

However, organisers need to raise nearly £10,000 to secure the event, which is run by representatives from the police, education, health, military and the communities of Shrewsbury and Oswestry, for 2008.

Organiser Alan Howls said a lack of sponsorship had forced the scheme to use much of its reserves to sec-ure this year’s event, which will run from June 4 to 15.

“The scheme is designed to run for 10 working days,” said Mr Howls. “The idea is to put 1,500 children in Year 6 of primary schools through a series of scenarios with the aim of teaching them life skills, good citizenship, how to avoid dangers and deal with incidents.

“As the event is outside the normal sphere of education and policing it is always necessary to fund the project by sponsorship. As it is a major event, it is necessary to organise in excess of 100 volunteers who help as chaperones, staff telephones and help with the scenarios.

“All give their time free of charge, but the cost of staging Crucial Crew is still in the region of £9,600 per year.”

He said that in the past 12 years 15,485 children had taken part in the scheme.

“One 11-year-old boy, when approached by a man outside his school who attempted to entice the boy into his car, did exactly what he had been told, leading to the arrest of the man and the safety of the boy,” said Mr Howls.

“Another, caught in a fire at his home, led his brothers out of the house, crawling on the floor under the smoke, again as he had been taught at the event.”

Anyone who could provide sponsorship for the event is asked to contact Mr Howls on (01939) 260442.

By Suzanne Roberts