A survival fund launched to help keep Baildon Community Link afloat is getting off to a frying start thanks to a local fish and chip shop boss.

The chips have been down for officials at the project, which has been providing advice and counselling services for 14 years, since Bradford Council announced it would not be getting the £48,000 in voluntary sector funding it was asking for.

The cut forced the group to make its three paid workers redundant and put expansion plans on hold but its management committee is determined to pull through and carry on operating services on a voluntary basis.

Last month at a packed public meeting the organisation launched the Baildon Community Link Development Fund to keep its head above water and start transforming its new headquarters - a former school canteen building on Cliffe Avenue - into a thriving community centre.

Since the meeting several people have promised to chip in and help including Frank and Carmen Dobson who decided there was no batter way to contribute than by staging a special opening at their Baildon Green take-away.

The Dobsons are planning to donate all the proceeds from the Easter Monday teatime session at Cliffe Fisheries, Cliffe Lane West, to the group which needs some £4,000 a year to stay open.

Mr Dobson said: "It's a special opening for a special cause -- we wouldn't normally open Easter Monday but will be there between 4pm and 6.30pm this year.

"We thought this would be the most immediate and effective way for us to help and every single penny spent - not just the profits - will go to the fund.

"I went to the public meeting and was determined to help because they do such a lot of good work in the community and there's definitely a big need for a scheme like that in this area.''

Link chairman Mike Bromley said: "It's a grand gesture and we're extremely grateful to Frank for all his support.''

He added that since the meeting an anonymous benefactor had donated £1,000 with another promising to pay for a secretary to work two mornings a week.

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