A charity in Harrow "struggling to stay afloat" after council stopped funding is still fighting to help Harrow's homeless.

Those who have used Radiate, in College Road, say it would be an "absolute travesty" for the people of Harrow if the service was lost.

Radiate helps people with drug and alcohol dependencies, the long term unemployed, victims of crime and the borough's homeless people but lost £100,000 worth of funding from Harrow Council last October when the contract came to an end.

But it has recently launched a fundraising campaign to help the "dozens of homeless" in the borough.

Father of three Cliff Arnett said without the charity he wouldn't be here today.

The 52-year-old said: "I came to Radiate as a service user. I was alcohol dependent. I actually died twice but with the help of Radiate, through counselling sessions, support work and detox - if it wasn't for the services provided by Radiate I wouldn't be here."

Now a volunteer at the charity, Mr Arnett said it would be an "absolute travesty" if Radiate shut down.

He continued: "We are really struggling for funding at the moment since the council stopped it, we are struggling to stay afloat.

"I consider what we do a very valuable service. It would be an absolute travesty not to have it.

"It's about helping people out of isolation. We're not just helping homeless, we get people back into society.

"Radiate gives them the confidence to get out of their homes, in a safe environment, to share their experiences and get a better life."

The charity has survived by raising money through various projects including those designed to help long term unemployed in the borough gain skills and experience to get back into work.

Some of these business projects include making vinyl record clocks, needlework products and t-shirts which are then sold, and running a cafe.

Ian Edwin, Hilary Saunders and Angela Darg said the initiatives have been invaluable in giving them the confidence to start working again and described Radiate as a second family.

The new fundraising campaign is to help people like 63-year-old widower Jurijus Jefromavos, who slept in Harrow Bus Station all through the winter month and walked to Mill Hill and back everyday for work.

Kaps Kerai, a director at Radiate, believes Mr Jefromavos, who came to the UK from Lithuania eight years ago, is one of 47 homeless people in the borough.

The charity's Food Tree project aims to raise £4,800 to help each of them with a safe place to sleep, hot food, clothes, toiletries, blankets and travel expenses to access necessities.

Ms Kerai said: "Jurijus doesn't have a roof over his head - he's lost enough. He has nobody in this country. He wants to work. He just wants a room where he can shower and have his own space."

By providing basic needs, Food Tree aims to help Harrow's homeless gain stability and be empowered to live independently with long term sustainability.

To find out more visit http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/food-tree-1.