SUPPORTERS of a charity which helps community groups are urgently seeking more funding to save the long-standing organisation.

A vote to close Durham City District Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) was passed at a special general meeting at County Hall, Durham, on Wednesday night (May 22).

However, a rescue effort is also under way, with last-minute grant applications being explored.

If the charity does close, three staff would lose their jobs.

No-one at the CVS office, in Redhill Villas, Durham, was available for comment.

But committee member Ray Pye said: “The vote was to close but there’s no date yet.

“We’ll be looking in the next couple of weeks to get some money in and we’ll keep going for the time being.

“Funding has dried up over the last 18 months. The (county) council has got to make cutbacks. They’re looking at different ways of saving money and part of that has been the CVS.”

Mr Pye said attempts had been made to merge CVS groups across the county but these had not been successful.

The CVS works to promote and support volunteering and helps voluntary groups with policies, fundraising, training and recruitment.

It has around 200 members but costs £100,000 a year to run.

Mr Pye, who has been involved for ten years, said: “I feel sad that we’ve come to this decision. But it’s something we had to do.

“They (the CVS) do a brilliant job of helping people. It’s vital work for people in the community.”

Mary Hawgood, a CVS supporter and former employee, said: “It’s very sad. I sincerely hope they resurrect it. It does things no other organisation does.

“It’s been able to apply for money for other organisations, but not for itself.”

The CVS can be contacted by calling 0191-384-4801.

It has advised members that, in the event of its closure, ongoing support would be available from Durham Rural Community Council (DRCC), based at Park House, Station Road, Lanchester. To contact DRCC, call 01207-529-621 or email: info@durhamrcc.org.uk