West Harton Churches Action Station faced closing for good after funding plummeted in the Northern Rock crisis, and charitable trusts tightened their purse strings.

Six staff at the centre in Boldon Lane, South Shields, were handed their redundancy notices in January, but delighted bosses have now been able to withdraw the notices after receiving a series of funding
boosts.

As well as the £10,000 donation from a mystery woman, local individuals and groups rallied to help boost the coffers, while other funding came from the Community Foundation, Readman Foundation and Lankelly Chase,
taking the total to almost £12,000.

The cash has thrown a lifeline to the centre, which provides facilities for community groups such as Cancer Connections, until December.

Centre manager Dave Kippax said staff and users were delighted with the news, and thanked the Gazette for highlighting their plight.

He said: "It's incredible that one person has been able to donate so much, but we've born sworn to secrecy about their identity.

"Donations from other local groups and individuals have been greatly appreciated, and the grants from other trusts and foundations are fantastic.

"We've guaranteed our future until at least the end of the year, and the future is looking bright now.

"The staff are relieved to have had their redundancy notices withdrawn.

"They were issued back in January and they'd been hanging over everyone.

"We're grateful to the Gazette for highlighting the issues affecting the centre, as well as David Miliband and local councillors for meeting with us to discuss a solution."

Today, South Shields MP David Miliband said "I am really pleased the staff can continue to give the excellent advice and service that they always do, without having to worry about redundancies.

"It is important the long-term future of the centre is secure, and I will do what I can to assist the management team at West Harton Action Station."

Mr Kippax added: "We wish to gratefully acknowledge and thank the local community for their financial support which in the past year has totalled £11,800 plus the added benefit of 'Gift Aid'. We would be pleased to accept any further donations in the future to enable us to continue our essential work in the local community."

Latest accounts show that grants and contracts income for the organisation – which has up to 25,000 users a year – had dropped from £174,524 in 2005/06, to just £119,800 in accounts released last year.

The centre has about 20 volunteers on top of its paid staff, and many local groups use the centre as a base to reach out to the Whiteleas, All Saints, Tyne Dock and Boldon Lane communities.

Last year, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, visited West Harton Action Station, where she praised the activities offered.

Are you the mystery benefactor? Do you know who they are? Call David MacLean on 0191 427 4870.