A DRUMCHAPEL charity who faced closure after it was refused funding from Glasgow City Council has been saved for the next two-and-a-half years.

G15 Youth Project warned it would be closed by Christmas if an eleventh hour solution wasn’t found and began a campaign calling for the council to provide a lifeline cash boost.

However, the charity has now secured 28 months funding support from the National Lottery – Young Start Fund.

This investment by the National lottery in Drumchapel’s young people includes revenue funding totalling £100,000 over 2.5 years.

G15 youth project chairman Jordan Riley said: “This is the best news I have heard this year.

“I am delighted for all our members and thank the staff for their support in order for us to save this service.

“Thank you to the Big Lottery young start fund for believing in our programme.”

This funding will help secure the delivery of the G15 youth project’s new SHAPE programme - a 12-week rolling programme aimed at supporting young people’s physical and emotional wellbeing..

As previously reported by the Glasgow Times, the beloved Buddies and the lifeline Money Advice Centre, were among 134 charities recommended to be knocked back for funding.

The annual grant kept the youth group, which provides vital services for children and young people throughout the area, alive.

The charity says it lost “62% of its funding” and was left on the brink of closure.

Councillor Paul Carey said: “As the Drumchapel councillor, I am absolutely delighted that G15 has secured funding from the National Lottery Youth Start Fund.

“This will allow G15 to stay in operation for at least the next two-and-a-half years. I hope that this administration which cut the funding from this organisation by 62% with no just cause meaning that they would have been closed by Christmas - leaving Drumchapel without an organisation to deliver youth provision - hang their heads in shame.”

A GCC spokeswoman said: “Demand for the Glasgow Communities Fund was exceptionally high and no organisation received the full amount of money it applied for. However, it is encouraging to hear G15 managed to secure external funding in addition to the grant from the Glasgow Communities Fund, all of which will be used to enable them to continue to deliver services in Drumchapel.”