A KENDAL-based charity has received more than £17,000 during the first three months of a three-year-long fund-raising campaign.

Kendal and South Lakes Shopmobility launched a major money-making drive in January because it faces a fight for survival when vital National Lottery money runs out in June.

The charity, which has more than 1,800 members, is open six days a week for eight hours a day and offers the free use of scooters and wheelchairs to those with mobility problems.

Only recently, it introduced a £24 membership fee to bring in money, which gives users voting rights, a quarterly newsletter and priority use of some vehicles.

Although delighted by the response, organisers have warned that the fight to stay open has not yet been won and that it needs to raise three times as much again this year.

Shopmobility has set a target of bringing in £40,000 every year between now and 2006 because £127,000 of lottery money awarded in 1999 runs out in summer and it cannot apply again because of Community Fund rules.

Harry Marston, chairman of the Shopmobility management committee, said: "We are very grateful to everyone who has helped us.

"This scheme is vital to Kendal. We face a steep, uphill struggle getting funding and would really appreciate more financial support from the local shops and businesses as, apart from our members, they are the main beneficiaries of the scheme."

The organisation now plans to write to hundreds of shops and businesses across South Lakeland appealing for a donation to be made.

Already, South Lakeland District Council has handed over £3,245 while Kendal Town Council has given £680 and £1,000 has come from the Mayor's Fund.

Other fund-raising events have included a pie and pea supper, and a display in the Westmorland Shopping Centre.

Project development officer Pam Flitcroft said: "£17,000 in three months is absolutely brilliant although I doubt we will be able to keep up that momentum.

"We are now handing out letters to every single shop and business in Kendal asking them to support us because they are making a lot of money out of shop mobility users."

She said if the service was scaled down or had to close, those who used it would have to go to places like Penrith or Carlisle to shop where there were similar schemes in operation.

Anyone who would like to make a donation should call in to the office on Level 3 of the Westmorland Shopping Centre car park, telephone 01539-740933, and ask for Mrs Flitcroft, or make a payment directly into the account by calling into the Yorkshire Bank, Sort Code 050540, account number 34268971.

April 10, 2003 09:00