A SOCIAL club for the elderly is warning people to “use it or lose it”.

The Evergreens, which arranges social events for older people in High Woods and Greenstead, is facing closure due to a cash crisis.

The charity said it is losing money at each event and its reserves are “dwindling”.

It has already cut its social programme to one event a month, but is still losing about £36 each time.

To recoup the cash, it is now charging £3 admission, but warned attendance also needed to increase or else it would be forced to shut.

Founder Gordon Dowe said: “Attendance must increase to 25 at each event, otherwise there will be no alternative than to shut up shop when our funds run out at the end of the year.”

The club was set up a decade ago by Mr Dowe, 81, who moved to High Woods in 2001 and was disappointed by the lack of provision for elderly people.

It was initially called Older Voices and changed its name to the Evergreens in 2005, when it obtained charity status.

It holds meetings at Greenstead Social Club, St John Payne Parish Hall and the St John’s and High Woods Community Centre. It organises shopping trips, picnics, lunches and trips out.

Mr Dowe said: “It’s a question of getting bums on seats.

“It costs just as much to hire a hall and a speaker for 70 people as it does when 16 turn up.

“The lunch club is flourishing, but it’s the social side that seems to be suffering.

“Having started it, it would be dreadful for it to go.

“If it isn’t there, people would be moaning nothing is being done to help the elderly, but at the moment they are not supporting it.”

Beverley Oxford, a trustee and High Woods councillor, said: “Gordon tries so hard, but people will not come.

“If he carries on making a loss there will be no point keeping it going, which is dreadfully sad.

“He needs the support of the community.

“If it goes, I know people will start complaining, but when there is a club which is waiting and willing to help, they won’t use it.”