A MENTAL health charity that helps almost 1,000 people on Yorkshire's coast needs to raise £6,000 to remain open.

Scarborough Whitby and Ryedale Mind (SWR Mind), which provides support groups, a phone helpline and financial assistance to people with mental issues, launched an appeal earlier this year to raise £20,000 which would save it from closure.

More than £12,000 has already been donated by people, businesses and organisations, and a further £2,000 has been pledged, but the charity needs to find the remainder before the end of May to survive.

SWR Mind is not a charity shop and is not supported by the national Mind charity, but has been established over 50 years, works with people living with mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Sophie Hall, Head of Services for SWR Mind said three of the charity’s 20 staff have been made redundant and that two of the nine projects it ran – social prescribing and work in Scarborough Hospital’s A&E – will not continue after funding from other sources was not renewed.

She said: "We’ve had some great pledges of support so far and are hugely grateful to the people who have donated, many of whom can least afford it.

"Losing our Social Prescribing service was a big blow as it was able to see people very quickly and provide practical support from the first appointment. We’re saving money where we can through reducing some staff hours and minimising travel which is very hard to do when many of our service users live in rural areas.

"Our board of trustees is constantly reviewing the financial situation and working with Coast and Vale Community Action (CaVCA) to keep our doors open for as long as we are able. We have made as many savings as possible to stay afloat but, without people’s help we will close at a time when we are helping more people than ever before."

To donate, go to swrmind.org.uk or justgiving.com/swrmind

Alternatively text SWRM22 with the amount you want to donate to70070, or send a cheque made payable to Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Mind, PO Box 304, Scarborough, YO11 3YJ.

For more details visit www.swrmind.org.uk or phone 01723 588008.