The Merton Homelessness project is appealing for funds to continue running, as its costs have begun to exceed its income.

The project provides a range of support for the homeless in Merton, including showers, food, IT services, laundry and a Polish speaking social worker to help the large amount of eastern European service users.

At a meeting on Monday, October 12, the chairman of the Merton Homelessness Project Yvette Ball said: "There is a constant demand for what we offer.

"We need more money to continue to support our service users.

"The cost of running the centre now exceeds our monthly income. This isn’t sustainable in the long run."

An average of 65 users attend each session at the drop in centre in Kingston Road, and more than half of these are homeless.

In the year from March 2014 to April 2015, a total of 6,796 people attended the drop in service. In the same period, the group gave out more than 90 sleeping bags to the homeless.

The drop in centre, which is run by Faith in Action, is part funded by donations from faith groups across Merton, including churches, representatives of the Muslim community and the Wimbledon Synagogue.

It also receives a £10,000 grant from Merton Council, which makes up a significant proportion of its overall funding. However, this has to be secured on an annual basis, and there is no guarantee of it being provided again next year.

Although the group have some financial reserves, it costs around £10,000 a month to run the drop in centre.

To break even this financial year it needs to raise another £40,000, and the group said without the help of the local authority grant this target will be too difficult to reach.

The mayor of Merton Councillor David Chung also attended the meeting, and although he wished the project well he was unable to guarantee any financial support.

He said: "I’m aware that you need more money to provide the valuable services that are here. I wish you every success with your fundraising campaign.

"I hope the group continues to prosper and provide a beacon of hope for those who need it in our community."

The Merton Homelessness project runs twice a week on Wednesday and Fridays throughout the year.

For more information, visit http://www.mertonfaithinaction.org/