THIS is the sum total of an appeal to the people of Swindon to save the town's Disability Resource Centre just £10.

A poster campaign launched in October urged Swindon people to give just £1 each to the centre.

But just one person responded an elderly man who gave £10.

Project manager Sharyn O'Byrne said: "The day after a story about our campaign appeared in the Evening Advertiser he walked into our office in the Brunel Arcade, put two £5 notes on my desk and said, 'I might need you myself one day'. I have no idea who he was but I was so grateful to him. He showed there must be a few people out there who do care about what we do."

The centre, founded less than two years ago by the Swindon Coalition of Disabled People, provides information about everything from complex welfare benefit rights to where to go for specialist equipment.

It has been run by unpaid disabled workers since February when a Government grant from Opportunities for Volunteers ran out.

In June, the National Lottery rejected its bid for a £150,000 grant which would have enabled it to expand and function for at least three years.

At the moment, it is being kept afloat by 51-year-old Sharyn, who has multiple sclerosis and is wheelchair-bound, and half a dozen other disabled volunteers who man it on a rota system.

Sharyn needs a carer to help her get up, get dressed and into the taxi which takes her to the centre, yet works there without pay from 9.30am until 5pm five days a week.

The 51-year-old is now preparing to tell people who rely on the centre that it might not be there after the New Year.

"Last year we helped more than 4,500 people," she said. "Some wanted advice on their entitlement to welfare and housing benefits.

"One woman asked us where she should get special shoes wide enough for her feet which swell because of her disability.

"We found an address for her by searching the internet."

According to Sharyn, the centre could survive into the New Year with volunteer workers if somebody would pledge just £600.

"That would cover our expenses for the next month," she said. "One of the biggest costs we face is our telephone bill. I have just paid the last one which was for £457."

She said the centre had kept going since February only because of the generosity of Westfield, which now owns and manages the Brunel Centre and allows the disabled volunteers to use shop premises in the Arcade rent free.

Now she desperately hopes other people will show some Christmas generosity and help to keep the centre going.

It can be found at 34 The Arcade, Brunel Shopping Centre, Swindon SN1 1LL, or you can telephone 01793 422979.