A GROUP of teenage trailblazers have launched a fundraising mission to establish a new base for their youth group.

6 Foot Lab, run by local couple Ewa and Pawel Jakubowski, started out as a project to provide young people with a safe place to go.

Before the pandemic, the group - which supports young people from a variety of backgrounds - would meet and create art as well as work on electromechanical projects.

After losing their permanent meeting place due to Covid-19, the team behind the initiative have now launched a crowdfunder to set up a new home where they can continue helping young people in Inverclyde.

Ewa, who recently wrote a book in a bid to raise funds for the campaign, told the Tele: "We support young people from a variety of backgrounds and welcome anyone along to our group.

"We've had young people say the group has helped with their mental health, having somewhere they can get support and be with their friends.

"We keep things fun and members have previously focused on art projects and also converted a petrol go-kart to electric.

"Our aim has always been to have a safe place for them to come and be welcomed."

Last summer the group also established a Young Bees project after receiving a £5,600 National Lottery Community Fund grant which allowed them to establish hives at Greenock Cut.

Members have been able to keep in touch virtually but they are looking forward to getting back together when restrictions allow.

Greenock teenager Grace Dollard joined the group as a place to get together with her friends and create artwork.

The 18-year-old said: "I started with the group around a year and a half ago and enjoy seeing everyone and having somewhere we can get together.

"We've been keeping in touch online but I am looking forward to us all meeting up soon."

The group are initially hoping to raise £2,500 to start off the process of securing their own base.

Liam McDade, 18, said: "I really enjoyed all the activities we did in the workshop, I love what we do at the group."

Fellow member, Conor Mccahill, 17, added: "I feel lucky to have the experiences we've had and we've still managed to do somethings during lockdown last year, including looking after the bees.

"It's something different and provides us with great opportunities."

*To support 6 Foot Lab's fundraising effort visit bit.ly/39s4x92