A CHARITY set up to help asylum seekers could lose its funding.

Kirklees Friends and Refugees Together (Kraft) was set up to offer support to refugees in Huddersfield in 2000.

It was awarded a National Lottery grant in 2002 after struggling for two years with little or no income.

But now, after helping more than 1,600 people, the group, based in Belmont Street, could be forced to fold.

Director Pam Bye said they had applied for more lottery cash but they would have to wait until March for a definite answer.

She said: "The money runs out in March and if we do not get more cash from the lottery or somewhere else we will have to fold.

"That would put a massive strain on Kirklees Council and I do not know how they would cope.

"There are some councillors who have said certain things about us and accused us of having a political agenda which is not true.

"We are here solely to try and help people. It is that simple."

Charitable organisation the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust has also donated cash to Kraft, which has helped them employ two full-time staff and one part-time.

But another application for further money from the York-based trust is also pending.

"We are just keeping our fingers crossed on whether the money will come through or not. We held an open day to let people see exactly what we do.

"We also invited people from the lottery and the Joseph Rowntree trust to come along and see."

Kraft help people who have fled their home country. When they arrive in Huddersfield the group, who have 27 volunteers, help with accommodation, asylum applications and training to find work.

Eli Mujo came to the UK from Albania in 2001. She was helped by Kraft and now works for them as an office administrator.

She said refugees' lives would be made a lot harder without Kraft.

"I know the support the people receive first hand not just because I see it everyday but because I was one of those people," she said.

"We have the resources and skills to really make a difference. We need that funding or some from elsewhere."

The group will carry on their work until March when they will finally find out if they can continue.