Dawlish's Open Daw charity is to close down as a result of the loss of funding caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The charity's trustees have posted the announcement on their Facebook page today (Friday, April 2), saying it is made 'with great sadness and regret'.

Open Daw has always been fully reliant on fundraising and grants, and has had to run on its reserves since the pandemic took hold.

The centre will not be reopening after Covid restrictions are lifted, but co-ordinator Anthony Butler says he will be in contact personally with service users to make sure their needs continue to be met by other agencies, where possible.

He and the other trustees have thanked all the volunteers and supporters who have helped them over the last 15 years.

Here is the statement in full:

"It is with great sadness and regret that we have to announce the winding up/closure of Open Daw. As a charity that has never had core funding and been fully reliant upon fundraising and grants, the ongoing situation with Covid 19 has brought about our demise.

"We have been running on our reserves and have been effectively unable to fundraise for more than a year. With little prospect of much activity in the near future, along with many losses of contacts, volunteers and the momentum that any charity needs to flourish, we have had to accept, along with thousands of other charities in similar situations, that Open Daw is no longer viable. We will therefore not be re-opening as restrictions are lifted.

"Our co-ordinators, with the support and dedication of our front of house volunteers, had maintained the activities of Open Daw as much as possible up until December 2020. In the last three months Anthony our Coordinator has continued providing a service despite the restrictions and many people have continued to be helped and supported. He will be in contact personally with individuals in the period ahead to ensure that their needs continue to be met by other agencies where possible.

"The trustees wish to express their heartfelt thanks for the energy and commitment that Anthony has put into Open Daw. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our wonderful volunteers and supporters for all that they have done for us over the last 15 years.

"In the period ahead the Trustees will be following an orderly process to formalise the dissolution of the Charity in compliance with the Open Daw Constitution together with guidance from the Charities Commission.

"We can still be contacted in the period ahead on 07515 882946.

"Please do get in touch if you need to. If you leave a message we will return your call as soon as we can and usually between 10am and 4pm.

Or contact us by e-mail [email protected]"