By Kate Wilson

A THOUSAND families are needed to help Stroud Valleys Project survive through to the next financial year.

The charity has had its grant cut by Stroud District Council each year since 2009 and despite trying many other ways of raising funds, including opening an eco-shop in Threadneedle Street, has been unable to make up the shortfall.

SVP chief executive Clare Mahdiyone said that if the charity did not reach its target by the end of January then it would have to radically rethink the SVP’s future in Stroud.

“We are having a trustees meeting in January where we will discuss reducing costs, mainly the handing in of the lease on our shop,” she said.

“This will be a big thing for us as we spent six years trying to get into a shop and after seven years we will have to move into a smaller premises where we won’t be visible.”

SVP is now urgently appealing for donations.

“If we could get 1,000 families to pledge just £25 a year that would help us to plan for the future,” said Clare.

It is especially poignant that the charity is appealing for funds now as it is due to celebrate its 25th anniversary in February 2013.

“For 24 years SVP has been improving the environment and looking after green spaces in and around the Stroud district. Last year for example, we planted 958 trees and 3,120 hedge plants, involved 1,500 children in our environmental activities and utilised more than 1,612 days of volunteer time.”

According to recent research from the Charities Aid Foundation one in six charities believe they could face closure in the coming year amid public spending cuts and falling donations.

To donate go to www.stroudvalleysproject.org, or send in a cheque or call into the eco-shop in Threadneedle Street.