Charity sends out SOS as donations dry up (From Daily Echo)

Future of Home-Start in Eastleigh under threat

5:00pm Tuesday 31st January 2012 in Eastleigh By Melanie Adams, Health Reporter

Charity sends out SOS as donations dry up

THE future of a Hampshire charity that has provided a lifeline to hundreds of struggling families for nearly two decades is under threat as donations dry up.

For 17 years Home-Start in Eastleigh has worked with families, tackling domestic abuse, isolation and mental illness – helping to keep families together.

But a lack of donations has forced bosses to close their doors to more families seeking help and if funds are not found the charity could face the axe.

It needs £10,000 a month to keep it going.

Donations have dried up, a grant from Hampshire County Council has been cut by £5,000 and the charity was left with a £14,500 black hole after Children in Need diverted their money to support new projects.

Trustees have cut the hours of the six staff and are now appealing to Daily Echo readers and local companies for help.

Home-Start Eastleigh supports families in and around Eastleigh, including Hedge End, Fair Oak and Chandler’s Ford, and demand for the team is rising as more families hit financial hardship.

It is currently helping 65 families with practical support, parenting skills, emotional support and valuable trips out for those facing financial difficulties.

Mary Diaper, scheme manager, said: “It is so sad to see all the hard work put in by the team and our wonderful band of volunteers being swept aside by lack of funding for work that is so needed in our community.

“At the moment our books are closed because we simply cannot afford to handle any more families and as it stands I cannot see how it is going to get any easier this year.

“We hope that a few donations, no matter what size, can help us get back on track and operating again normally, helping our families through such a difficult economic climate.”

To make a donation call 023 8061 2310 or visit their office at 16 Romsey Road, Eastleigh.