WE ARE saved!

The fun will go on for the members of Brockenhurst Gateway Club, who faced their club's closure just three months ago when a major grant ran dry.

But now the regular Tuesday night meeting - highlight of the week for more than 60 New Forest people with special needs - has been assured of a future - thanks to an epic fundraising effort by one man.

Dave Colley, a keen cyclist and manager of the Sports Project at Brockenhurst College, heard about the plight of the club which has met in the college for seven years.

He realised that a moneyspinner to catch the imagination was needed, so he offered to do the legendary Lands-End-to-John-O'Groats cycle ride.

The eight-day challenge was completed in August, and Dave hoped his sponsorship cash would amount to £5,000 - enough to tide the Gateway over for a year.

But the money just kept rolling in. The target of £5,000 was reached, passed and doubled. The final total for the 874-mile ride is more than £11,000.

"The Brockenhurst College network and the local drive to help a good cause must explain why this single event was such a success," said Dave.

"It was a strain, both the actual cycling - more than 100 miles a day - and the worry of not getting enough money for the club. So much depended on it.

"I'm a cyclist and have done 100 miles in a day before, but after three or four days at that pace, my tendons were in agony. I kept stopping at chemists to get ointment to reduce the pain.

"But when I stood under the Duncansby Head Lighthouse, two miles beyond John O'Groats, I felt great. I was so relieved I had secured the money for the club."

Three months later, it's winter but the sun is still shining on the Gateway Club. The Lions Club of Lymington has donated £1,000 to pay for sports shirts and computer equipment, and a plan is gathering momentum for members to produce a saleable video about their club.

Meanwhile members, guided by ten volunteers, are enjoying their regular activities of sports, crafts and games, spiced with some extra festive creativity - card and calendar-making.

Club Leader Wendy Collyer is delighted at their change of fortune. "In the summer, we had recently lost our funding and only had enough cash to stay alive until Christmas. The future looked bleak.

"But Dave's effort has well and truly replaced the grant we lost. It will keep the club afloat for at least two years.

If you want to be a club volunteer, ring 01590 683779.