The LEP is launching a £25,000 fundraising appeal to save Preston's Hope centre, a one-stop shop for domestic violence advice.

Nobody knows just how many people out there are suffering domestic abuse, but staff at the Hope Centre, run by Preston Women's Refuge, are seeing anywhere between 24 and 32 new faces come through its doors each month.

The drop-in centre, located in the St John's shopping centre, faces a funding shortfall at the end of the financial year, but it is our aim through the "Live in Hope" campaign to make sure this vital facility stays open.

'Hope' stands for help, opportunities and options, a place for support and empowerment.

There women can access a wide range of services, from legal and housing advice to counselling and activity sessions, building confidence and self-esteem. Its services are also available in Gujarati, Punjabi and Urdu.

More than 500 women sought help at the Hope Centre in the first five months following its opening in September 2005. Since then staff have seen an average of 161 women each month.

Preston Women's refuge director Valerie Wise is urging the public to get behind the campaign.

She said: "The Hope centre is currently funded by the AvenCentral Partnership but this funding ends on March 31. It is vital that funding is secured to enable the Hope centre to remain open. It is a lifeline to many women.

"Please donate to our campaign to save the Hope Centre. Your support is vital."

To donate by text

Text HOPE (space) your message, name and where you live (max 160 characters) and send to 83149

eg HOPE I support the Live in Hope Campaign, Emilie Bradshaw, Hope Street, Penwortham.

Texts cost £1 plus normal network rates

All messages of support will be printed in the LEP and on lep.co.uk. All profit generated by this service will be donated to the Live in Hope campaign.

Lancashire Evening Post Ltd is a member of the Johnston Press Group plc. Johnston Press may contact you with related special offers via SMS/MMS. If you wish to opt out of receiving details on these offers end your message with the word EXIT.

Your details will not be passed on to our business partners for marketing purposes. For quality and training purposes, we may monitor communications. By submitting any contribution, you expressly grant Johnston Press Group plc a royalty -free licence to use such content in accordance with our terms and conditions at www.jptalk.co.uk/termsandconditions.aspx If you do not consent to this, you should not submit your contribution.

To donate by cheque

Please make a cheque to: Preston Women's Refuge (Live in Hope). Cheques can be posted to Preston Women's Refuge HQ, PO Box 262, Preston, PR1 4DZ or c/o Emilie Bradshaw at the Lancashire Evening Post, Olivers Place, Preston PR2 9ZA. They can also be handed in to LEP reception between 9am and 5.30pm.

Buy a ribbon or make a cash donation

Look out for the "Live in Hope" team who will be out and about with their collecting buckets, handing out distinctive "Live in Hope" ribbons for those who make a minimum donation of £1. We will also be visiting companies in Lancashire at their invitation to ask staff to make a donation. Ribbons will also be available in LEP reception.

Over the next few weeks we will keep you up to date on the locations of the Hope Squad.

Make a donation by standing order

Please ring Preston Women's Refuge and ask for a standing order form to be sent to you. Ring 01772 201701. Please make sure all forms are marked Preston Womens Refuge (Live in Hope).

Organise a fundraising event

Or why not organise your own fundraising events and we will publicise them for you. Send details to emilie.bradshaw@lep.co.uk or ring her on 01772 838165.

Go to our special section on domestic violence