A youth charity which came within months of closing down due to money troubles has been given an "unprecedented" donation of thousands of pounds.

Signpost, which provides free support for young people with mental health issues across Watford, Three Rivers, and Dacorum, has received £20,000 after linking up with property development company Bugler Group.

Last November, Signpost almost folded but thanks to a fundraising effort, enough money was raised to ensure the charity could continue its important work.

Clare Hearnshaw, Signpost’s chairman of the board of trustees said: "This is a very special unprecedented donation from the Bugler Foundation. We give heartfelt thanks to the Bugler Foundation for their support which will increase our reach in order to help more young people who are at serious risk of falling through the gaps of mental health care."

There may be no one better to ask than Signpost youth ambassador Kennedy Morgan on how vital the service that Signpost provides is.

Kennedy said: "I used to be embarrassed to say I was receiving counselling, as if I had failed and that I would be judged.

"Signpost has empowered me to be more determined, more clear, and more focused on what I want and has inspired me to use my experiences to help others.

"As someone who has benefitted so much from the support of signpost, I know the financial support from Bugler Group is going to change the lives of so many."

The £20,000 donation to commemorate the partnership between Signpost and the Bugler Group was marked at a ceremony on October 10 - which coincided with World Mental Health Day.

The donation will help provide up to 800 hourly face to face counselling sessions.

Andy Bugler, chief executive at Bugler Group, said: "We are extremely pleased to be able to support Signpost in helping them continue their great work in providing counselling and other therapeutic services for children and young people in the area."