Charity saved from closure after emergency appeal

Filwood Hope Advice Centre in Knowle West has been saved from closure after a successful fundraising appeal – photo: Charlie Watts

A “lifeline” charity in south Bristol has been saved from closure after launching an emergency fundraising appeal.

Bristol24/7 revealed at the start of April how Filwood Hope needed to raise £10,000 to prevent it from collapsing.

But the 25-year-old advice centre in Knowle West has now raised enough funds to stay afloat.

The organisation, which is based on Filwood Broadway, offers a range of free services – including debt, benefit and housing advice.

But the impact of Covid-19 and a gap in funding meant it had to turn to asking the public for donations.

More than 90 donors have given to Filwood Hope’s emergency appeal, and it has also had a successful funding application.

This means the charity, which employs three expert advisers, can continue at its current service level.

“We owe a resounding thank you to all the people who have helped us in our time of need,” said Ed Palairet, Filwood Hope’s chair of trustees.

“It has been an absolute delight to see people’s messages of support and hear their gratitude for what we do,” added Pearl Atiken, the manager of the advice centre.

Though the charity has been saved from closure, it has now launched a resilience appeal to help secure its long-term future.

It has also begun offering a new service, Money MOT, to help people manage the cost-of-living crisis.

A celebration is planned for the autumn to mark the 25th anniversary of Filwood Hope.

Source: https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/charity-saved-from-closure-after-emergency-appeal/

#peoplepowered #goodnews #bristol