Published: Thursday, 5th November, 2009 2:47pm

Appeal to keep GATE open

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A PLEA has been issued for residents of a Borders town to rally round a vital youth project which has hit a funding crisis.

For the past 17 years Galashiels Action for Teenage Enablement(GATE) has provided an alternative for youngsters hanging around the streets at their base in the town's Ladhope Vale.

As well as acting as a drop-in centre for people aged 12-25, local groups have come to rely on using the building while workers are involved in several community-based initiatives for youngsters.

But the loss of various temporary funding sources in the past few months has severely curtailed the project's activities.

With the grants coming to an end, GATE has had to let go three staff members and are operating on reduced hours in order to make ends meet.

A fund-raising campaign has now been launched on the project's website asking for residents to give a pound a week to contribute towards the running costs of the four-storey Ladhope Vale premises and keeping on the remaining three part-time workers.

If just 100 people signed up to the scheme that would bring in more than £5000 a year to GATE and that revenue would be even greater if the donation was gift-aided.

With a population of almost 20,000 in "Galashiels and the environs" which GATE serves, a response of 1000 people would reap more than £50,000 - a sum which would fund so much good work on behalf of the town's youth.

GATE director Rebecca Wade said: "There are so many young people who have benefited from GATE over the years and I hate to imagine what it would be like if it was not there.

"It is a place where young people can meet in a safe and warm environment but where they also have staff on hand to give them advice on practical and emotional issues.

"We feel it is very important to have somewhere for the youngsters to go and are determined to keep this service going."

Christine Pettie, who founded GATE in 1992 in association with the Galashiels-based Fellowship of Churches, says the current funding issue is the most difficult she can recall in her all years with the project.

She said: "We hope the people of Galashiels and the surrounding areas will rally round and support us at this difficult time.

"It is not much to give but it would mean so much for the work we do and help keep us going.

"People can give more if they want but we have asked for a pound a week and if it was gift-aided that would be even better.

"All the details are on our website www.Gateingala.co.uk so we would appreciate it if they had a look at it.

"As well as funding, we are always on the look-out for volunteers. If volunteers feel they can offer anything they are very welcome to pop in for a chat or give us a ring on Galashiels 752442."

Lothian and Borders Police's safer communities temporary inspectior Carol Wood said: "GATE provides an excellent service for the community engaging with young people and I am aware funding has been an issue recently."

GATE is currently operating as a drop-in centre on Monday, Tuesday and Friday evenings as well as a Sunday from 2-5pm. The drop-in also runs from Monday to Friday 3.30pm to 5.30pm, while the office hours are on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Further details on GATE's work and the "Give a Pound a Week" scheme are explained on the website www.Gateingala.co.uk