I am writing to you because I wish to draw people's attention to the excellent work of Worthing Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), in particular its debt advice team, which is threatened with closure due to funding problems.

Worthing CAB recently helped me sort out my debt problems and, by sharing my experiences, I hope I can show why it is vital it secures the necessary funding to stay open.

I first contacted Worthing CAB in October 2006 when I found I was no longer able to service all the debts I had built up over the past few years as a result of studying.

In face-to-face interviews, the staff carefully reviewed my monthly income and expenditure and put a debt rescheduling plan in place.

I did not have the confidence to contact my creditors directly so I was enormously relieved when a debt adviser wrote to them on my behalf.

Unfortunately, when ongoing stress-related health problems meant I was forced to reduce my responsibilities and salary, I was no longer able to maintain these reduced monthly payments. The only option was bankruptcy.

The decision to go bankrupt was a very difficult one but the process was made easier by the CAB's excellent, not to mention free, advice and counselling.

Even though I am an educated professional, I found I was unable to complete the bankruptcy forms without assistance. If I had been forced to do so, it would have made an already traumatic situation harder still.

I was declared bankrupt in February 2007 and have spent the past two months dealing with the Official Receiver's office in Brighton.

I have actually found this part of the process to be the most stressful and challenging so far.

Once again, I was able to seek their expert advice over the telephone, which has helped to alleviate some of the anxiety I have felt.

Worthing CAB is absolutely invaluable for people who find themselves in a vulnerable position and need free, confidential, non-judgemental advice.

It is absolutely vital it receives the necessary funding to retain this service for the local community.

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