High Peak Women’s Aid faces having to close its refuge centre, unless they can find £60,000.

The Glossop based charity has been helping victims of domestic abuse for nearly 30 years but unless it raisesthe funds by October, the refuge service may have to close.

The cash crisis comes after they lost out on funding, which will now go to other providers of care and services in the area. When they were assessed they gained the highest possible marks for quality of work but as a small operation, they could not compete with competitors on costs and so were overlooked for the funding.

Despite missing out on the money, they are determined to keep offering a refuge service and maintain their current building. Indeed they have already started work on a new development to help reach out to women and girls much earlier in the abuse cycle.

To make that possible they are now calling upon the public to help raise valuable funds by holding a fundraiser, sponsoring a room in the refuge or making a donation. They have stressed that any contribution , no matter how small is very  helpful and will boost their chances of being able to carry on giving refuge to up to 26 women and 35 children every single year.

News of the challenges faced by the charity, led to tributes from former users of the service, one said “I’ll be truly grateful for the people who support Women’s Aid. I feel they are walking angels.”

Councillor Antony McKeown also urged how important a service Women’s Aid provide saying ”High Peak Women’s Aid has been providing a vital service for 30 years, in recognition of which the council has always been prepared to offer it accommodation at a very low rent.

“However, other financial pressures mean that the refuge is now at risk. That’s why I’m urging High Peak residents to dig deep, even though money is short, so Women’s Aid can continue rebuilding lives.”

To give support to High Peak Women’s Aid call Pam Whittle, services manager on 01457 856675 or go to their official website.