A UNIQUE group in Swindon for those who deliberately harm themselves is looking forward to a more secure future.

Project Spear has gained charity status against the odds. For the last three-and-a- half years it has been run single-handedly by founder Sue Ozolins, who has relied on her own cash and time to keep the group going.

She has applied for grants but found it almost impossible to get funding without charity status.

"At the moment I only have £20 in the bank but that is not due to bad management it is due to Spear not meeting sponsors' criteria," she said.

"Also, when I meet potential sponsors I sometimes have to turn up on my motorcycle because my £90 car is in the garage again. I have been told I look like the Terminator when I pull up.

"I am delighted about getting charity status because it is recognition that Spear's methods work and are safe. As part of the process, mental health professionals looked at what we were doing and approved."

In March, Sue feared the group would fold unless it received funding, and the plight of Spear was featured in the Evening Advertiser. Sue thanked the newspaper for raising the profile of the group, which she believes helped in the process of becoming a charity.

In Swindon alone, there at least 1,000 people who deliberately cut themselves or harm their bodies in other ways. Famous people known to have hurt themselves include Diana, Princess of Wales, and actor Johnny Depp.

Spear, which has changed its name to Project Spear to make it a more attractive proposition to potential sponsors, has 118 clients on its books, of whom a quarter live in Swindon.

It has sent out self-help packs to around 700 others, and its website www. sysc.org.uk/prime has been visited by thousands of people. Some of the clients have been as young as 13.

For more information about the group phone 01793 702900 or write to Project Spear, PO Box 1454, Swindon SN2 3JX.