ON BEHALF of the staff, volunteers and trustees of the Gateway Centre, I’d like to thank Paul Abbott (Letters, October 22) for his concern for the mothers of Acomb who use the Gateway Centre, none of whom have ever mentioned the need for an automatic opener on the doors to the Gateway Centre. Feedback actually suggests we are one of the more parent and child-friendly venues in Acomb.

However, I’d also like to remind him and other readers that the charity which manages the centre (Gateway Action) receives no direct funding from the council except for a (reduced rate) room rental for the council drop-in session on Mondays.

The charity is funded entirely by the membership of Gateway Church, various community groups and activities, the Gateway Café, and some room rentals. We’re pleased the centre is home to many community activities for the residents of Acomb and York. As well as being the home of a flourishing church, in the week the Gateway Centre operates a café, and hosts several baby and toddler groups, an older peoples’ group, a youth club, keep fit classes and a community choir.

We’re also home to services meeting very specific needs through CAP Debt Advice, Job Club, Citizens Advice Bureau, York Foodbank, Reflect pregnancy crisis, AA, and community nursing.

If Paul would like to find out more, he’s welcome to drop in and speak to the centre manager.

Mark Howard, Trustee, Middlethorpe Grove, York.