ARTISTS THROW LIFELINE TO RAPE CRISIS CENTRE

UTV from www.u.tv A sexual abuse charity could be saved from closure by some of Northern Ireland's top artists, it has emerged.

Paintings worth thousands of pounds are to be auctioned as part of a fundraising event for a beleaguered rape victims charity.

The money throws a lifeline to Belfast's Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Centre which has been facing closure since government funding was stopped last year.

More than 40 of Northern Ireland's most popular artists, including Rita Duffy, Brian Ballard and Hector McDonnell, have donated paintings for the auction.

A total of 15 works of art will go under the hammer at Ross' Auction House, Belfast, on Wednesday while the remaining paintings will be included in a show in April.

The charity has been struggling for almost 18 months since its government funding was controversially withdrawn.

A grant of £66,000 a year was stopped in July last year because the government claimed the centre was failing to keep proper financial accounts.

The centre - which is the only free crisis counselling service in Northern Ireland for victims of rape, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse - survives on public donations and small fundraising events.

It employs just two people and has the support of three volunteers.

Paula Wynburne, who organised a similar auction 15 years ago, said: "When I heard they were in dire financial straits I volunteered to come back and do some fundraising for them. And since it was so long since the last one I thought I`d go back and ask the artists to donate again."