A STROKE support group which was struggling to survive after its funding was slashed has been given a reprieve.

Earlier this year the co-chairmen of Shipley Stroke Club faced tough decisions about which of its services to drop and feared closure, but now the organisation has been given £6,000 by the Bradford-based Sovereign Health Care Charitable Trust.

Co-chairman Helen Galtress said: "This is going to keep us going until the new year with general running costs. It just takes the pressure off. Sovereign has agreed to take the pressure off until we can get to find out what's going to happen in the new year.

"It's a big sigh of relief."

She said staff and members were hugely grateful for the grant.

"This has cheered them up. Some of them were getting quite depressed when they knew the money was running out. Their little faces lit up."

The group's annual funding from Bradford Districts Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) was halved from £35,000 in 2011/12 and cut again to £9,420 earlier this year.

The funding was due to run out in April, but support was extended until the end of June, then again until the end of September and again until the end of the year. But the lower figure was only enough to cover rent and insurance.

The CCG had reviewed all of commissioning plans for the next two years and is now joining with the district's other two CCGs and Bradford Council to commission a Stroke Information and Support Service, which is due to start in January.

Mrs Galtress said Shipley Stroke Club hoped to be part of the new wider service.

Russ Piper, a trustee of the Sovereign Health Care Charitable Trust and chief executive of Sovereign Health Care, said: "Shipley Stroke Group provides such valuable services to stroke survivors that we felt it was important for the charitable trust to support them during this difficult time.

"I am pleased that the donation has made a difference and wish them every success for the future."

The group, which has been going for 17 years, has about 40 members and runs weekly activities at Haworth Road Methodist Church. It also runs sessions for carers, trips and weekly coffee mornings.

The group is continuing to fundraise to help with running costs and has planned a Thornton Singers charity concert in December.

Profits from the event, at Haworth Road Methodist Church on December 17, will be shared with Bradford and Airedale Cancer Support.

Tickets, which cost £7.50 including a lucky programme draw and refreshments, are available by calling Mrs Galtress on 07970 680258.