AYOUNG people’s organisation is being reported to the Charity Commission after a row over funding.

The founder of the Young People of the Year campaign, Tony Gearing, believed he had agreed a £5,000 donation with software company Access Group, based in Stratford St Mary, in March last year.

The money would have been used for awards to recognise youngsters who give their time and effort to communities and good causes.

However, Access Group said while there had been discussions, no official agreement had ever been made and Mr Gearing has no paperwork to prove a deal had been reached.

A spokesman for Access Group said the company never entered into an agreement and would be reporting the matter to the Charity Commission.

Mr Gearing said he had initially been discussing the grant with one individual at the company, who subsequently left.

The Access Group spokesman said: “In March last year, the Young People of the Year contacted Access Group regarding sponsorship of its 2015 awards.

“A representative sent the information to an employee and there were further discussions between the two parties on the sponsorship details. Access Group did nothing further with the information, as the employee in question left the company in early November 2014.

“In February this year, the Young People of the Year representative contacted Access Group requesting an immediate payment of £5,000 for the sponsorship of its Hertfordshire Young People of the Year campaign.

“It has been unable to provide any evidence of an agreement and, having conducted a full review of the communication between the former employee and the charity, Access Group is confident no sponsorship contract was entered into or any commitment given to sponsor an award. Access Group has therefore refused payment.”

He added the group supports charitable organisations and raised £20,000 last year in donations.

Mr Gearing said: “We were hopeful of returning to Essex this year to find young unsung heroes and set them up as positive role models for other young people to copy. We had even started work with Essex schools and are looking round for other donors, but this has put this year’s campaign in doubt.

“I have run these campaigns for ten years and we have weathered financial setbacks, like Government cuts, but I have never had this happen before.”

Young People of the Year campaigns were run in Essex between 2007 and 2011, but they were stopped when main sponsor, Essex Police, withdrew support because of Government cuts.

The charity has continued running campaigns in Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and London and last year it received £28,703 from donations and sponsorship.