A charity threatened with closure due to a lack of cash was given a boost last night after members of the public came out to offer support.

The Royal Gazette reported yesterday how The Women's Resource Centre would be unable to continue providing services unless major funding was found.

The charity, which provides support, counselling and legal advice to women who have suffered a violent or sexual crime, became so strapped for cash in December it was unable to meet the rent or pay staff wages.

Chairwoman Penny Dill said the organisation, which has a budget of $15,000 a month, was living hand to mouth and needed some long-term corporate funding to ensure it survived.

Although, the resource centre did not receive any calls from businesses wishing to offer help yesterday, Mrs. Dill said she had been encouraged by some individuals who had called.

And she said it had given her hope that financial help would arrive.

"We have had some calls from concerned members of the public who are worried we may have to close and want to help in any way they can,'' she said.

"They have asked me to suggest ways they can help and said they will do whatever they can individually to assist us.

"We have been very heartened by the calls we have received and are hoping more calls come over the weekend and next week.

"It's certainly nice to know the community is behind us.'' The charity revealed that it was unsure about its future after recording one of its busiest years in dealing with victims of sexual assault.

Mrs. Dill said the more crime there is against women, the busier the centre is, and it had been inundated with call-outs and clients since September onwards.

Bermuda suffered a rash of attacks on women, more or less every week, between the end of August and December last year.

That meant the Women's Resource Centre was pushed to the limit.

And the centre is poised for another busy year. It has already dealt with 15 complaints of domestic abuse in just the first 11 days of the year. The total for last January was 18, and in 1999, 19.

Mrs. Dill said the centre had a big monthly budget to meet because it paid high rent in order to have a central, prime location that was easily accessible, and she said it had to pay wages to professional staff, as well as payroll tax.

She added: "We had a very busy period towards the end of last year. It takes its toll on our budget. These sorts of crimes are a drain on the community, and a drain on our finances.'' And yesterday The Centre on Philanthropy (CoP) in Bermuda, which helps 400 registered charities on the Island, urged people to make contact with its website in order to donate cash toward The Women's Resource Centre.

Volunteer Grace Welch said people could use their visa or debit cards to make a direct payment to the women's charity via the internet.

She said: "It is not difficult and is very quick. They can make a payment by going on to our website and directing the money to the women's group. It is listed among the different charities and they must just specify where they want the money to go. It is simple.'' The CoP webiste address is www.charity.bm.

Anyone wishing to discuss financing with the resource centre can call them on 295-3882.