A lifeline asylum seeker support charity faces closure unless it can get more money to keep going.

Lucy Lucy, founder of Destitute Asylum Seekers Huddersfield, says only £500 remains in the bank account of the organisation which depends entirely on donations and hard-to-find grants.

As a result DASH has had to temporarily stop giving out destitution support which includes bus passes for asylum seekers’ who have no access to any other funding, including from the Red Cross.

Lucy says that if enough money is not raised by the end of August the Ark Church and New North Road-based charity may have to close its doors.

The charity is looking for individuals and groups who can fundraise and businesses who could become one off or regular supporters.

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DASH was set up by Lucy in 2011 after she saw asylum seekers sleeping rough on the town’s streets.

She, a small team of volunteers and refugee development worker Abiey Legesse help more than 50 people every week to find accommodation and provide them with other support such as legal advice, English classes and social activities.

“We’re really desperate,” said Lucy, who volunteers for DASH full-time.

“We don’t get any funding from the Government or local councils to do what we do.

“Our current grants and donations have almost dried up.

“We have some bids in but decisions on some of these will take a long time and applying for funding, as people working in the charity sector know, is becoming more and more difficult.

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“We would really appreciate any help from individuals, groups or businesses.

“DASH is a lifeline for our clients who otherwise could be left without any similar help.

“These are people who have fled their countries out of fear and I believe it’s important we do all we can to help them rebuild their lives in safety.”

Anyone who would like to make a donation to DASH can go to mydonate.bt.com/charities/dash-destituteasylumseekershuddersfield .

To talk about fundraising or making regular donations, please ring 01484 937999.