£200,000 to secure Gay and lesbian advice centre - London Friend seeks survival cash

Published: 11 February, 2011

GAY and lesbian advice centre London Friend has been given six months to raise £200,000 to buy its building, it was revealed this week.

If it fails to reach the target, the charity faces the possibility of being evicted after 40 years in Caledonian Road, King’s Cross.

London Friend won the right to buy the building owned by Islington Council after lobbying against a decision to put the premises up for auction late last year.

The charity was given just three weeks’ notice that its premises were to be sold.

Its chief executive, Matthew Halliday, said: “Although we are extremely disappointed that the council has decided to progress with this sale, we are pleased to be given the opportunity to try to purchase the property.

“We have been providing counselling and other support for 40 years and we hope to be here for another 40.

“We are a volunteer-run service and operate on minimal costs.”

The charity is setting up a committee of volunteers and supporters to consider how they can raise the money and save their centre.

Donations can be made online at www.justgiving.com/Friend200 or by sending cheques to London Friend, 86 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DN.