A SOUTH Lakeland mental health charity which gives support to hundreds of local people could be forced to shut its doors at Christmas because of a lack of funding.

Mind South Lakeland has been hit by a reduction in grants and other income at the same time more people are turning to it for help - and if nothing changes it will have to start 'winding up' in December.

The organisation currently helps 300 local people every year, suffering anything from eating disorders to suicidal thoughts.

"The closure would be potentially devastating for people," said chief officer, Jonathan Ingram, who has been with the charity since May.

"During the time that I have been with Mind, colleagues and I have spoken to people contemplating suicide, people who are self-harming, people who have only just managed to make the call, people reaching out for someone they love, people in tears, people who are desperate for help.

"They have heard that they will speak to people who won't judge them, people who will care and do whatever they can to make a difference."

The charity has been operating in the area for more than 30 years and offers counselling, 'befriending', drop-in sessions and complementary therapies, among other things.

It helps people who have been referred by both adult social care and GPs, as well as those at crisis point who do not know where else to turn.

In recent years the change in the financial climate has seen an increased number of people needing help as they face redundancy, money worries and relationship strains.

The charity also helps those who may have suffered abuse, or are battling illnesses such as obsessive compulsive disorder or bipolar disorder, for example.

“Mind are a wonderful charity that help some of the most vulnerable people in our community," said South Lakes MP, Tim Farron.

"With Mind being under threat, there is a real worry that people in need will be left not knowing where to turn.

“I am a proud supporter of their work and I am doing everything I can to help.

"I am working with the staff to try and find extra financial support to help them carry on providing the amazing service they offer to local people.”

It costs around £60,000 per year to keep the organisation afloat, which pays for basic running costs and fewer than three full-time employees. It is kept going thanks to an army of 65 volunteers.

In December a mental health strategy for Cumbria is set to highlight the importance of charities such as Mind and more support is on the horizon in the form of grants and statutory funding.

However the charity needs an injection of cash in the short-term.

Local people are now being urged to donate, to save it from closure within a matter of weeks.

"There's no obvious replacement for what we do," added Mr Ingram. "The support we provide is unique.

"I don't know how many times I've put the phone down from service users and thought: 'Thank God we're here'.

"It's clear if you take out a charity that's doing intensive work with two to three hundred people a year it will make a massive difference to them."

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/southlakelandmind or text 'MIND05£youramount' to 70070.

Donations can also be dropped off at the charity's office on Stricklandgate.