Anti-bully charity in danger of closure

A charity which provides a lifeline to children who have been bullied is in danger of folding because of a lack of cash.

Bolton-based Bully Free Zone could shut up shop in the next 12 months unless a saviour steps forward. Demand for its services is at an all-time high, but the charity faces a £50,000 cash shortage.

Now it is calling on the people of Bolton to use National Anti-Bullying Week this month to help save the charity.

Nicola Schofield, charity manager, said: "We are in a very desperate situation. Unless we find money, then Bully Free Zone could close within the year. We are literally begging for help. This would be a disaster for children as the problem of bullying is not going away and the numbers accessing our service has been increasing year on year."

Through referrals the number of children using the charity has increased by 80 per cent in the last year. It has on average offered long-term help and support to about 68 young people a year, but that number has risen to 120 this year.

The charity, in Chorley New Road, has been running for 14 years. It is facing the cash crisis because of the economic downturn, which has seen the value of investments fall, so trusts have less money to hand out.

Bully Free Zone's running costs are £165, 000 a year and the charity is facing a shortfall of £50, 000. It employs only four people and is dependent on grants from organisations such as Children in Need. It does not receive money from Bolton Council.

Ms Schofield said: "We have helped thousands of children over the years and the issue of bullying will not go away. We work with schools to reduce and prevent bullying and support children by helping them draw up an anti-bullying strategy. These young people need help and we are asking schools, businesses and local people to support us during Anti-Bullying Week which starts on 16th November."

For more details and how to raise money, ring 01204 454958, email office@bullyfreezone.co.uk or log on to www.bullyfreezone.co.uk . 

This article was originally published by The Bolton News on 7th November 2009 and written by Saiqa Chaudhari, Education Correspondent (schuadhari@theboltonnews.co.uk).