Staff and users at a day centre threatened with closure have said how much the service means to them.

The Freedom Day Centre in South Littleton, near Evesham, needs to raise £100,000 by the end of the year to buy the building it currently rents from the Quakers.

Around 25 adults with disabilities from across the region attend the centre every day to socialise and take part in educational and therapeutic activities.

It has been pledged £50,000 from the Hilda Farr Charitable Trust in Bretforton towards buying the facility.

But the cash is on condition that the centre match-funds £50,000 by December 31. If not, the trust offer will be withdrawn.

More than £14,000 has been raised so far but the community interest organisation needs the public’s help to raise the rest over the coming months.

“Since starting as a disco in 2016, we have proven there is a huge need for activities that bring togetherness to a community that is so often overlooked,” said Tracey Hemming, the centre’s manager and founder.

Centre user cried when it left Badsey

Freedom Day Centre almost folded last year after being forced to vacate its old rented premises in Badsey, Ms Hemming said.

“I contacted a builder who mentioned a building owned by the Quakers in South Littleton which was up for sale for £100,000.

“When I visited the hairs on my arms stood up and I thought ‘We have to have it’.”

The centre moved into its new home as a tenant last December after spending £100,000 on refurbishing the building to make it suitable for its users.

READ MORE: Day centre in race against time to raise £100,000 and avoid closure

It has become part of the community with a daily ‘inclusive’ café regularly attended by local residents, helping to breakdown barriers between able-bodied and disabled communities.

Centre user Rob Cole, aged 55, from Badsey, said: “I absolutely adore it. I have all my friends here. If it wasn’t for the centre I would feel very left out. 

“I was very sad when the one in Badsey closed. I just cried and couldn’t believe it. But now we have this place, it is just amazing.”

The Freedom Day Centre has a GoFundMe page if you'd like to donate to its fundraising efforts.