A family is pleading for help to save a charity that has been keeping boys off the streets for more than 50 years.

The Brookside Boys’ Club was run by Richard Clark, better known as Dick Clark, who died at the age of 85 last year following a three-month battle with kidney cancer.

After he died, his family vowed to keep his legacy alive despite having to raise at least £7,000 each year just to keep to club running.

His granddaughter, Kathryn Clark, said: “Everyone loved and respected grandad at the club. It has to stay open.

“It will be such a shame if the club has to close because we don’t have the money.

“We have to try and get the money for the club. It was my grandad’s life. My grandad and nan ran it for 50 years.

“I grew up with it and so did my brothers. It’s a part of my life. We just want to keep it going as long as we can.

“To have it closed would be very sad for both me and the whole community.”

To keep the boys’ club running they require around £7,000 each year for the upkeep of the centre and in July 2015 the family did a charity bungee jump.

Miss Clark said: “It was a great experience and for a great cause.

“Grandad would have been so proud of us all. Especially as the money raised will go towards the club.

“We want to do more but we all have full time jobs and it’s difficult to find the time.

“Boys who used to come to the club when they were nine or ten and are now 25 or 26 are helping us to try and raise the funds we need to keep the club going.”

During the bungee jump, club leader Steve, his partner Paula and Kathryn all jumped from a 170ft high crane at London’s O2 arena.

Mr Clark was born in East London and married his wife Vera in 1953 before the couple moved to Borehamwood.

They had eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren and he used to travel around the country with his son, John, who took part in wrestling matches.

Mr Clark was a familiar face at the Brookside Boys’ Club, in Buxton Road, Borehamwood, and he had been running the club for 45 years.

Brookside Boys’ Club first opened in 1965 and it is the last social group for boys aged ten and over in the area.

The club attracts between 30 and 40 boys a night and provides a safe environment for children and young people to socialise and develop skills.

The family are now asking for anyone who is willing to donate to come forward to help with the upkeep of the club.

“We raised £1,700 at a charity bungee jump but that is only a small amount to what we actually need. It’s just not enough,” Miss Clark said.