THE threat of closure that had been hanging over a charity dedicated to helping those facing up to the loss of a loved one has been lifted.

Bereavement Care, in Northallerton, had been facing a funding shortfall that could have forced it to wind up its affairs.

But a £2,000 grant from North Yorkshire County Council means its future is safe for the rest of the financial year and, in all probability, many years to come.

The charity offers free counselling to bereaved people across the Hambleton and Richmondshire districts.

It was set up 15 years ago, uses highly-trained volunteer counsellors and recently expanded its work into the field of child bereavement.

Charity chairman Geoff Davey said they had almost become a victim of their own success.

"We have never turned anyone away and never asked anyone to pay for the help they received."

However, the £2,000 grant from the county's Hambleton area committee has now saved the charity from the very real fear of closure.

"The threat was very serious. As a charity, we would not have been able to continue with any debt beyond our capabilities," said Mr Davey.

"But this means we are okay for the rest of this year - and enables us to re-gear our fundraising for the future."

The charity's application for help was supported by county councillor Peter Brown, an independent member of Bereavement Care's committee.

"This is a well-organised group of very dedicated, caring counsellors and committee members who give many hours to the service," he said.

People are referred to the charity by funeral directors, hospitals and doctors. They ring a helpline and then receive a home visit from a counsellor, who will advise and listen to them for as long as they want.

The counsellors receive no pay for their work, although they are reimbursed for travelling expenses.

The charity costs more than £8,000 a year to run, with money coming from a variety of sources as well as fundraising events.