PILL'S thriving reso-urce centre could be forced to close by Christmas - because its funding is running out. Staff at the centre say unless more cash

PILL'S thriving reso-urce centre could be forced to close by Christmas - because its funding is running out.Staff at the centre say unless more cash can be found to run the centre it will have to close its doors in December.The centre, which first opened in 2000 in a former bakery shop at the precinct, was initially funded by a Government Single Regeneration Budget grant.When that money ran out the Lottery stepped in to fund the centre, run by charity The Pill Com-munity Foundation, with two separate grants.But the money is soon to run out and, if other cash is not secured, the future of the centre looks bleak.The centre has about 5,500 visitors each year and offers a range of services including legal advice sessions, police surgeries and training courses.The Citizens Advice Bureau is also based there and a twice weekly drop-in session for local youngsters is also held.Pill Resource Centre project development worker Russ Summers said: "We have put funding bids into other organisations, but so far they have been unsuccessful."However, we do have other applications still in the pipeline."If these are not successful we will have to close as our Lottery funding runs out at the end of the year."Mr Summers said if the centre closed it would be a huge blow to the thousands of people which use it each year.He added: "The centre is very well used and a real hub of the community and we try to respond to needs which are highlighted to us."The centre employs three part-time staff and is supported by an enthusiastic group of volunteers.Centre staff are now appealing to the local business community to step in and help raise the cash needed to run the centre through sponsorship.A meeting is being held later this month with local businesses to discuss ways of raising financial support.Anyone who wants to help secure the centre's future can contact 01275 375670.* What do you think? Write and tell us at the North Somerset Times, 32 Waterloo Street, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS23 1LW. You can also email us your letters at nstimes@archant.co.uk