IT turned their lives around. The Edwards family have described how a charity threatened with closure helped put them back on their feet when they reached their lowest point.

Southampton's SCRATCH charity has helped some of the city's poorest families with food, clothing and housing.

But bosses are struggling with a £40,000 black hole in their accounts because red tape has delayed grants worth £500,000.

As reported by the Daily Echo on Saturday, Southampton City and Region Action To Combat Hardship could be forced to fold unless a business can give it an interest free £50,000 loan for six months.

Southampton city centre team rector the Rev Ian Johnson, right, has already spent £10,000 from church funds to prop up the cash-strapped charity.

The Rev Johnson, who is a director of the charity, said: "If you take SCRATCH away I think you'll find people starving on the streets."

Now father of four Glenn Edwards, of Pennine Road, Millbrook, has told the Daily Echo how his life was turned around thanks to SCRATCH. His youngsters were sleeping on the floor because he couldn't afford beds and he was at his wits' end.

Mr Edwards, 33, said: "To hear it might close makes me feel bad. "I was on the dole and had no money and needed furniture. I needed beds, a wardrobe and a cooker. We never had the money to buy those things.

"SCRATCH were really helpful. They delivered second-hand beds and that really helped us out because the kids were sleeping on the floor at the time. I didn't feel good because I couldn't afford to get them beds."

Mr Edwards decided he wanted to help SCRATCH help other people.

"It changed my life and because of what they did for me I thought I would do something for them. I volunteered with them for about two years and then they gave me a job. Now I drive trucks around delivering furniture.

"SCRATCH is very helpful to people. There is no one else that can help they way they do."

SCRATCH founder and chief executive Chris Davis said: "Technically we could fold but I am determined that it won't come to that. What would help us with the cash flow problem would be if I could find a low cost or interest free loan of £50,000 repayable at the end of the financial year in March next year. We know we have got funding in place to pay it back."

How you can help:

For the price of a chocolate bar a cup of coffee a day, SCRATCH can feed 37 people. The charity can set up easy monthly direct debit payments. To get involved contact 023 8077 3132.