YMCA Warrington fears it will be forced to close its doors for good unless it raises £50,000 this year.

Council resources totalling £38,000 a year were withdrawn last April.

But generous residents and organisations were hailed after helping the organisation, on Winmarleigh Street, smash its £40,000 fundraising target last year.

Centre manager Susan Blyth said: "I did not think we would be here when we got the news that they would be withdrawing the funding.

"When we got the news it was truly devastating.

"We can't operate on thin air – it has been a very challenging year.

"The backbone of the tremendous fundraising was the support from residents, organisations, churches and businesses.

"They believed in the work we do and came forward."

But selfless Susan is calling on the public to continue donating after revealing the fresh challenge faced.

She added: "If it had not been for them I would not be sitting here.

"It is sometimes difficult to assess if we close just what impact it would have.

"We have 10 spaces at the night shelter and provide a range of support, food and clothing to those in need.

"We need to raise £50,000 this year to stay open.

"We are applying for grants but it is proving difficult and the challenge with some is that match-funding needs to be provided.

"We have been amazed by how so many generous people believed in what we are doing and came forward.

"We hope they continue doing so."

The charity remains open seven days a week but has slightly reduced opening hours, due to the funding cuts.

Monday to Friday it is open from 10am to 2pm and 5pm to 10pm.

On Saturday it is open from 10am to 1pm and 5pm to 9pm, while on Sunday it is open from 3pm to 10pm.

Preventative work is key to helping people who may be threatened with becoming homeless, according to the woman responsible for the issue at the Town Hall.

Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, executive board member for public health, said: “Homelessness remains a priority focus for the council.

“In Warrington, recognising the increasing pressures, we have worked hard to extend our provision for people threatened with homelessness, increasing our preventative work and our temporary accommodation provision.

“The increased pressure in the system is coming from two directions: the Government’s implementation of Universal Credit and other benefit changes, the way these are paid and delays in the system, and the increasing rents and fees required by landlords who, due to high demand, increasingly choose to refuse those who are even partially supported by benefits.

“Further financial pressure on social landlords coupled with Government changes to housing benefit rules for young people are likely to exacerbate these issues further.

“Our focus is on prevention and working closely with partners in the town.

“Since we set up the homelessness action group in 2014, we have redesigned the way we offer services, extending the range of emergency provision, acquiring and refurbishing flats and residences, and extending provision so that we can now accommodate single women in addition to the accommodation available for those who are fleeing domestic abuse.

“There is a determined focus to support people and to prevent them from becoming homeless in the first place.”

A range of services are available to help those who are homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless.

But exactly what support is available in the town and how does the service operate?

The council has set up a hard-to-house multi-agency panel with an independent chairman to tackle the most difficult cases, including rough sleeping.

It has also set up a pre-eviction panel to bring stakeholders together to prevent unnecessary evictions.

The council commissions Verve Place, on Mersey Street, James Lee House, on Brick Street, and the women's refuge to support homeless people.

It procures rooms for individuals and families as an emergency (bed and breakfast) until it can move them on to temporary accommodation.

The council owns 43 temporary accommodation units until more permanent housing arrangements can be made either in the social or private sector.

Room At The Inn (RATI) receives a grant from the council as a night shelter until more substantive arrangements are made for direct access beds as per the homelessness strategy.

At this time, it does not have enough temporary accommodation and so is using bed and breakfasts and RATI.

The council has provided £1.5 million to buy more accommodation.