A YORK charity whose volunteers offer young rough sleepers a bed for the night in their own homes is set to feature in a BBC2 programme.

Staff and volunteers at York Nightstop, based in Priory Street, hope that the television exposure will be of benefit as they prepare to launch a major fundraising campaign in October.

There are plans to increase the amount of help York Nightstop can offer vulnerable young people, by providing education resource packs to schools, pre-emptive help for those at risk of becoming homeless and more counselling for those who are already on the streets.

Wilma Edwards, 57, of Aldwark, York, has been a Nightstop host for two-and-a-half years and is featuring in the BBC2 Voluntary Matters programme in December.

She filmed scenes at her home recently and said the programme will show people what the organisation is all about.

She said: "We are looking ahead to how we can stretch the service to help people more.

"It's not just about getting people off the streets, but also offering counselling and showing them where they can go from our house, and helping them get jobs.

"This is what we are looking to do in the future.

"One does want to do more, but by being a host we are doing a hell of a lot really.

"We are giving somebody a chance when they would have had nothing - we don't underestimate ourselves."

The charity, which was launched in 1994, had 200 people referred to it last year and project co-ordinator John Walker said he wants to see that number slashed - but he needs community sponsorship and more volunteers.

The extended service, which could be set up by April next year, will cost £30,000 in addition to the normal running costs.

He said: "We need to get the community behind us.

"We want the community of York to say 'We don't want young people to end up on the streets, we want to own this issue and do something about it'.

"Nightstop allows people to make a difference within their own home, and in a safe and controlled environment."

Voluntary Matters 3 will be broadcast on BBC2's Learning Zone between December 10 and 14, during the early hours of the morning.

Updated: 11:27 Monday, August 27, 2001