A breastfeeding drop-in group faces closure after failing to secure enough funding.

The group, which meets at the Gooseberry Bush Cafe, in Kingston Road, is run by the Wimbledon and District branch of the National Childbirth Trust.

It began in September 2012 after being awarded a £10,000 grant from Lottery Awards for All.

Since then it has relied on donations and fundraising efforts of volunteers, and is now concerned it will have to close as early as the end of next month unless it finds another source of income.

Advertising and sponsorship volunteer, Nicola Mills, said: “We probably help around 250 women a year. It’s quite a popular drop-in, especially because a lot of NHS ones are in clinics or hospitals, but this is a nice, relaxing setting.

“We are very much about wanting women to have a choice and it’s not all about breastfeeding. It’s about women who want help. We want to be able to do that, and help women and babies as much as possible.”

A JustGiving page set up to fundraise for the group has raised almost £3,000, but needs another £7,000 before the end of October.

Volunteer Chair of NCT Wimbledon & District Branch, Della Sykes, said: "Breastfeeding isn't always straightforward so it's crucial that we can continue to run our weekly drop-in for local mums who are experiencing problems. 

"NCT Wimbledon volunteers have worked tirelessly to fundraise for the drop-in and we also rely heavily on donations from Mums using this service, but sadly, lack of funds means we are now facing closure unbless we can secure longer term funding. 

"Ideally, we would like a local business to sponsor the drop-in and therefore we urge anyone who might be interested to get in touch as soon as possible."

The drop-in group, which takes place every Thursday, is free to attend and pays for qualified professionals to speak to the new mothers.

For more information, or to donate to the group, visit www.justgiving.com/BreastfeedingDropIn/ or email nic smills@hotmail.com.