A charity has been forced to close despite launching an appeal for emergency funding earlier this year.

My Voice, based in Wimbledon, has helped more than 100,000 children since they first opened in 1991 by offering a mentoring service and workshops to help and support disadvantaged children.

Over the last three years the charity has lost all of its government and local authority funding and has been maintaining its services purely on support from the public, companies, trusts and foundations.

In July the charity launched an urgent campaign to raise £25,000 by the end of September if it were to survive.

However despite the charity’s efforts it was announced today that it would close from December 13 citing cuts to funding in the children and young people’s sector as the main reason they were unable to access longer term grants to sustain their services.

In a series of tweets this morning the charity said: "We know the loss of their special volunteer mentor will be hard for many children.

"The team have worked tirelessly to secure the best possible support and outcomes for the children we serve.

"Our trustees would like to pay tribute to the dedication commitment and passion of all our staff and to our volunteers.

"Our special thanks go to our CEO, Gillian Morris, for her vision and resilience and in recognition of the impact of her work on the lives of the many young people she has supported."

Staff at the charity added: "We would like to say a special thank you to the children and young people we have supported.

"We will never forget you.

"You have made us look anew at the world, given us many anxious moments, but also made us laugh.

"We have been honoured to hear your stories and share your lives for a short while."

 

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