HUNDREDS of families that have been the victims of domestic violence may have to look elsewhere as a vital Chippenham charity faces the risk of closure.

Kevin and Liz Thorne, who run Helping Victims of Domestic Violence (HVDV) from their base in Union Road, are trying to run the charity on just £4,000 after losing their major source of funding last year.

The charity, which was founded in April 2015, helps individuals and families build new foundations by providing everything from a teaspoon to a sofa to make their “empty shells” feel like home.

“Refuges call us with a wish list of items that families need and we see if we have them in storage,” Ms Thorne said. “We also help provide families with clothing too if needed. But we are at risk of closure if we do not continue to raise much-needed funds.

“Last year we secured funding for £30,000 but then we lost our major funder,” Ms Thorne said. “We were forced to make a decision to buy a van or keep the charity afloat and we went with the latter.

“The charity is the most important thing to us, but that £30,000 has now dwindled down to about £4,000.

“We are continuing to hire vans to help us with deliveries and collections but it puts so much pressure on our volunteers as we have to fit our work in around picking up kids from school or work.

“If we want to load the van up the night before, then we have to hire the van for two days, costing us about £160.

“If we had our own van, we wouldn’t need to plan so far ahead and it would ease the pressure.”

The charity, which held a jumble sale two weeks ago to help raise funds, has also launched its annual Christmas shoebox campaign to give victims of domestic violence a present.

Last year the appeal helped more than 2,000 people by providing them with a shoebox or gift bag filled with necessities.

Despite running this appeal, the focus remains on trying to prevent the charity from closing.

“Keeping the charity alive is the most important thing to us,” Ms Thorne added.

“I suffered domestic abuse, as did Kevin and most of our volunteers, so we know how important this service is and we want to continue giving something back.”

Anyone who can help should email Kevin and Liz Thorne on admin@hvdv.org.uk.