THE IMPENDING closure of a domestic abuse charity will have a huge impact on the local area, its founder has said.

The Survivors of Domestic Abuse (SODA) organisation, based in Redcar, has been offering help and support to victims of domestic abuse for more than four years.

Founder Lindy O’Hare, 49, says that the charity will be forced to close in December if further funding is not found.

SODA, which employs three people and has around 15 volunteers, costs approximately £60,000 a year to run. It was able to stay open throughout 2012 thanks to a competition win that paid for a year’s worth of salaries and running costs.

However, with that money almost gone and previous sources of council funding now unavailable due to cuts, the charity face a bleak future.

Ms O’Hare, whose personal experiences with domestic violence led to her establishing SODA, said: “Our closure will have a massive impact on the area and our clients. We run unique projects that are not available anywhere else in the area, like Choice, which offers support to young boys who have experienced domestic abuse.

“Sometimes people might need 30 years of courage before they come forward about domestic violence. There is no quick fix and it is vital that organisations like ours are there to help them when they do need support.

“We do not want to close and if I have to go on the dole and move the office into my dining room I will do it because I am determined to keep this running. However, we can only go for so long on good will and good hearts.”

The charity is appealing for supporters to come forward and assist them with their plight in any way they can. SODA can be contacted on 01642-758849.