By Conor Sharkey
A local community project which benefits close to 200 of Strabane's elderly, infirm and vulnerable moved this week to allay concerns over its future.
St Pat's Hall-based Good Morning Strabane spoke out after a similar project in Derry was informed by the Department of Social Development (DSD) that their funding will run out in August.
A series of protests were staged in the city over the weekend by users of the Good Morning North West service, aiming to drum up political support to keep their service alive.
Meanwhile, here in Strabane, the local Good Morning team have been inundated with calls from concerned users.
They are fearful that their much loved service could also soon be axed.
Established in 2004, Good Morning Strabane provides a listening ear for around 180 of the district's elderly and vulnerable.
Daily, six volunteers ring around to ensure clients are in good health and to ask if there is anything they need help with, be it benefits, shopping or just someone to chat with.
And speaking on Tuesday, Good Morning Strabane Volunteer Co-Ordinator Maureen Milligan said that their clients need not be concerned.
"Our funding comes largely from the Big Lottery Fund with part funding coming from the Council's Community Safety Partnership and the Foyle Trust.
"So we receive nothing from the Department for Social Development and won't be affected by these funding cuts.
"Annually, we get around £20,000 from the Big Lottery and if they decide not to come across, our level of service could be affected.
"But our volunteers here have vowed to continue with the service regardless.
"But we would hope that the Lottery would have the confidence to continue funding us," Mrs Milligan said.
Commenting on the concerns that have been voiced in the wake of the DSD announcement regarding Derry's Good Morning North, the Mrs Milligan added: "Our clients are very worried that we are simply going to disappear into the ether, but that definitely won't be the case.
"Our volunteers are totally committed to our clients and we definitely won't be closing anytime soon," she said.
Meanwhile, Good Morning Strabane are always on the look out for funders.
Interested parties or anyone looking to get involved in the service can contact volunteers on 02871 883102.
