Some 400 children in Merseyside will lose out this summer unless £23,000 can urgently be raised for a popular youth activity event.

The Sea Cadets' On The Water youth programme provides children and young people with a new life experience and skills as well as accredited qualifications, opening up new horizons and job opportunities for children and young people within the maritime sector and the watersports industry.

But the programme is in serious doubt in our area.

Daniel McAllister, Sea Cadets' Director of Fundraising and Communications, said: "We've been planning on giving children in hard-to-reach communities of Merseyside opportunities never before available to them through our On The Water programme.

Wirral Globe: Kids learn new life experiences by participating in the On the Water programmeKids learn new life experiences by participating in the On the Water programme

"As we all begin to emerge from prolonged lockdown, it's the best possible moment to give our children access to an amazing opportunity.

"It's been a difficult year to fundraise for youth projects. We appeal to your generosity to support our On The Water so that the Merseyside community can benefit from the programme."

Although the national project will go ahead, an additional £23,000 needs to be raised by the end of this week for the programme to be rolled out in Merseyside.

For more information about our On The Water programme, click here.

To discuss the appeal and partnership opportunities, email fundraising@ms-sc.org