A CEREDIGION charity which helps disadvantaged young people, families, disabled people and the elderly is in danger of folding with the loss of 20 jobs.

Aberaeron-based RAY Ceredigion has been turned down for a major Big Lottery grant staff say would have secured its future and have now made an SOS for help.

Having set out in 2009 to support children and young people and the staff who work with them, the charity now runs a mother and toddler play session, drop-in family centre, a youth club for disadvantaged youngsters, a social club for young disabled adults and ‘craft and chat’ sessions for older residents as well as those with serious health issues.

Executive officer Gill Byrne has revealed that the charity, which employs 20 mainly casual and part-time staff, needs all the help it can get to survive.

“We can still apply for funding and continue to develop our activities but we really need some short-term help,” she said in a Facebook post on Friday of last week.

“If we do not secure any funding from today then we will not be here this time next year,” she told the Cambrian News last week.

“Having said that, I am confident that we will generate more income. We have enough funding to get us through the next eight months at least and I am sure that we will be successful in future grant applications.

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