I AM writing this letter to say I am appalled that the Warrington YMCA will be closing by next year because of a lack of funding. I was homeless two years ago.

As I was over the age of 18 and classed as a single person, the housing teM couldn’t do anything.

I had to go through Chooseahome to find a place to live but while going through this process, where was I going to stay? Where was I going to eat? Where was I going to get warmth?

It’s a very scary thought having no-one and nowhere to go and I didn’t know where to turn to.

The housing told me go to Sue Blyth at the YMCA.

When I arrived it was the best feeling just knowing that I could be warm with a hot drink and food in the stomach.

I was able to stay in the night shelter for a while until I could get back onto my own feet.

I was able to go the shelter at 9pm, have a hot meal and sleep in a bed.

I had to leave at 8am and the shelter wouldn’t re-open until 9pm the next night. The YMCA would be open from 10.30am for people to go and relax on the couch, have a hot drink or meal, watch TV, play games of snooker and talk to other people who are in the same situation.

On days I would leave the shelter and it would be freezing.

I was an 18-year-old girl with nothing and no-one to turn to, all those times I’ve thought what am I doing here?

What if I just ended it all today? Who would miss me?

If it was not for the YMCA I don’t think I would be here today.

Sue Blyth is an amazing woman and she has done so much for everyone, she loves the YMCA and she loves the job she has.

I want this matter to be brought to attention.

The YMCA needs to stay open for all the homeless people. If the YMCA closes what is the Government going to do with the homeless? Just leave them on the streets?

Is it ok because you have got a place to live with warmth?

The homeless are people as well and everyone deserves the right to live a good life and without the YMCA the homeless can’t do that.

What if in the future the YMCA does close and another girl like me turns up at the housing with no-one and nowhere to go but as a single person, she has to go through the process of chooseahome.

What are the housing team going to say?

If the YMCA is not open where are the housing team going to tell her to go?

They might as well tell her to go sleep on the floor outside because that’s where she is going to be staying.   I hope you understand my passion and reasoning for sending you this email.

The YMCA did a lot for me and helped me through a very difficult situation and I want to show them the support I think they deserve.

DANIELLE STONEHOUSE

Warrington