REPRESENTATIVES of a “vital” breastfeeding support group in Andover are pleading with local residents and businesses to help them fundraise amidst fears they will have to close the service.

Organisers of the weekly breastfeeding support drop-in at the Spring Meadow Children’s Centre on Smannell Road claim they are rapidly running out of money and may have to end the service within the next two months if they can’t find alternative funding.

The group, which meets each Tuesday between 10am and noon, is currently being funded by the Winchester branch of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) following Hampshire County Council’s decision to cut its financial support for the service.

However, Winchester’s NCT branch say they cannot afford to fund the service in the long term, meaning the group will have to find alternative funding or face closure.

Paula Martin originally set up the group over 20 years ago and is still a breastfeeding councillor with the service today.

She said: “We are desperate to keep it open – to lose the group would be heartbreaking.

“This is my passion and something I’ve been doing for 25 years.

“It is really important because we are coming from a mother’s point of view.

“To be a breastfeeding councillor you need to have fed a baby for six months but you also receive twoand-a-half years’ training.

“We provide that personal experience and ongoing support that medical professionals might not have the time to provide.”

The group currently welcomes around six to eight mothers a week, including regular visitors.

Mrs Martin and her team are already looking at ways to raise the money they need to continue running the group.

The mother-of-four is planning to organise fundraising events in the future.

To donate to the group visit their Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.

com/fundraising/NCT-Andover.