A CHARITY facing closure because of a funding crisis is already a third of the way to raising the cash it needs to keep its doors open.

The Rainbow Centre, which transforms the lives of disabled people, has raised £62,000 in just four days. This means that the service will continue to run for the next month.

As reported by the Daily Echo, the Fareham-based centre has been hit hard by the recession.

Bosses said that if it could not raise £150,000 in the next four weeks, it would have to shut its doors and put its 15 staff on unpaid leave while it continued fundraising.

But, in the days since the appeal started, staff have been “overwhelmed” by support.

The centre, in Palmerston Drive, which helps children with cerebral palsy and adults with severe neurological difficulties, has received enquiries from many companies interested in joining its 100 club, where businesses raise £100 a month.

Many local firms plan to dedicate upcoming corporate events like golf days to the centre, while residents are doing sponsored abseils and skydives.

Nevertheless, centre bosses are keen to ensure that funding continues to buy the centre more time.

Set up by parents in 1990, the Rainbow Centre teaches the system of conductive education, which develops new neural pathways to undamaged parts of the brain, helping someone to master control of their core muscles, limbs and movements.

In 2007, it began treating adults with conditions like Parkinson’s disease and victims of a stroke or head injury.

But conductive education is not recognised by the NHS and therefore the centre receives no funding.

Centre director Lara Bull said the support had been “absolutely fantastic”.

She added: “£62,000 in just four days is incredible and we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed.

“Your donation could make a massive difference to many people’s lives, not just now, but for years to come.”