DETERMINED Kimberley Brewer could not sit back and do nothing when a support group for bereaved youngsters was plunged into a major cash crisis.

So the 14-year-old sent an urgent SOS message to Swindon-ians.

Her dad Sheridan died in July 1998 of a rare heart bug aged 32.

Kimberley along with brothers, Ashley, 11, and Jamie, 12, were sent to live with their grandparents, Kenneth and Pauline Brewer, in Park South because their mum was unable to cope.

The Rainbow Club, which has links to the Bereavement Office at Great Western Hospital, has helped the siblings come to terms with the tragedy.

Each term the group runs an activity day for youngsters, giving both children and their parents and guardians a much-needed break.

But last year the group's account books made grim reading, forcing organisers into crisis talks.

Kimberley, who is a pupil at Churchfields School, contacted BBC Radio Swindon, which aired her plea and Abbey Meads Community Centre quickly came to the rescue offering their facilities for free.

As well as providing support for bereaved children, the Rainbow Club formed four years ago also helps siblings of children who are seriously ill.

The Riverside Centre in Queen's Drive is used for sibling support sessions but bereaved children have been without a permanent centre since October.

Kimberley said: "The club is really good fun and I've made lots of friends and I just didn't want it to close down.

"My nan said why don't write a letter into the radio but I thought I might as well as ring them.

"The interview was a bit scary but I'm really happy now."

Hazel Furze, a bereavement councillor at GWH, said: "It was costing us £60 every time we wanted to use community centres.

"We just could not afford to keep doing it.

"I was bowled over the public response.

"The Rainbow Club is hugely important to the children. Kimberley was terrified when she thought the club might close."

The group will hold its first meeting in the community centre on February 17.

Mr Brewer, 62, said he was extremely proud of his self-less granddaughter.

"She has been through a lot," he said.

"My son caught some kind of virus and died in his bed.

"One night, Kimberley started thinking about how she could help the group.

"Then she announced that she would contact the local radio station."

Kevin Shoesmith