A CHARITY which supports people with HIV or Aids could be saved following a campaign.

The Sussex Beacon has been inundated with support from the community when it revealed last year year it was struggling.

The Brighton-based charity said changes to the way it was funded through the NHS had left it with a shortfall which it could not afford to made.

It said it needed to guarantee funds of between £300,000 and £400,000 to survive.

The problems had put the future of its services, which includes a ten bed inpatient unit, at risk.

There were fears the inpatient unit would close in June.

However the charity says local support, grants secured from non-statutory funding bodies and a restructure have put it in a better funding position.

While there is still a way to go in the campaign to save the charity, the majority of staff have been told their jobs are no longer at risk of redundancy.

The charity is currently able to continue offering services to people living with HIV across Sussex.

Managers are also working discussions with the national HIV charity, the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), about working together and sharing resources in future.

These talks are at an early stage and are exploring the possibility of THT providing ‘back office’ resources, such as finance and IT functions.

Beacon chief executive Simon Dowe said, “I feel like we’ve taken a real step forward in our campaign to save the charity. “There is still a lot of work to do over the coming months to make the Sussex Beacon more sustainable and less reliant on statutory funding, but I’m delighted we have the opportunity to continue supporting local people living with HIV right now.

“I can’t thank everyone enough for their support during this really difficult time, from service users and volunteers, to fundraisers and local MPs.

“Finally, the staff have been incredible, both dedicated and professional despite their jobs being at risk.

“We’ve all been moved by the support we’ve had and it’s made us more determined than ever to secure a future for the Sussex Beacon.”

Charity management and trustees say they will continue to make every effort to put the organisation in a stronger financial position.

The Sussex Beacon provides specialist support and care for people living with HIV through both inpatient and outpatient services.

The inpatient unit is the only dedicated service of its kind in the country, outside of London.

The charity helps hundreds of people with the virus across in Sussex each year.

It was given an outstanding rating by the Care Quality Commission last September, the highest level possible, following an inspection.

More than 10,600 people signed a petition calling for the Sussex Beacon to be saved and city MPs also backed the campaign.