A DUNFERMLINE group that's helped countless families across West Fife during the pandemic has issued an SOS for cash – or it could fold

Sarah's Help In Economic Living Difficulties, SHIELD, was set up by Sarah Keeble at the beginning of the first lockdown to help those who were vulnerable or struggling.

Since then, the group has continued to provide vital services for those who need it and have run toy appeals for West Fife kids who would otherwise go without at Christmas in each of the past two years, backed by the Press.

Now, two-and-a-half years later, Sarah has issued an urgent pleas to the community she has given so much to, for help as the financial costs of running the group have become too much and will likely result in the group disbanding.

Speaking to the Press, Sarah said: "I'm very proud of SHIELD, its volunteers and the community who have made it what it is today. The increase in demand for our services makes it, at times, overwhelming and emotionally difficult as I know we simply aren't generating the money we need to maintain us long-term.

"On a personal level, my health has made it especially difficult to throw myself into fundraising as well as working seven days and trying to be a mother. I need fundraisers to help me and I want the community to make SHIELD more about them and not Sarah.

"Our services do make a huge impact on hundreds of people a week, I don't need help with the day-to-day, it is more to help with keeping us afloat so we can do our work. I predict that, come the new year, I will need to reduce our services and focus on things I can do on my own if people can't help."

In an attempt to get the funding that she needs desperately, Sarah is asking supporters to set up direct debits to the SHIELD bank account in the hope hat this will give the group enough income to continue to run at full capacity.

"The day-to-day costs of the group are facing challenges and I do feel a monthly direct debit to the SHIELD account would help us massively and gift both the community and those who support us by seeing how and what impact their money has locally."

For those who are able to help keep this community asset afloat, bank details for the SHIELD account can be found on their Facebook page, SHIELD FIFE.

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