Like every business, organisation and charity, Windmill Hill City Farm has been hit by the recession.

Today, 33 years after it was set up, it stands on the brink of being forced to close down.

It simply does not have enough money to keep going.

But to see it shut would be a tragedy. Born out of demands for derelict land to be used for the benefit of local people, it has developed further than anyone could have imagined.

It really does bring a touch of the countryside into the inner city.

And it ensures that local children understand and help to care for animals they would otherwise see only on television.

Windmill Hill City farm has welcomed hundreds of thousands of people through its gates over the years. And few have gone away with anything but smiles on their faces.

Windmill Hill City Farm is one of those places where anyone can find a little peace just a short step from the bustle of city life.

That opportunity may not exist in the future unless something is done. And the only thing that will secure the farm's future is money.

If every one of us who has ever gone to the farm was to donate a few pounds it would certainly help.

In fact, it could just be the difference between the farm closing and keep going.

And if we can all help the farm through these difficult times, then it will be there for us when things improve.

The alternative is that the farm shuts down and we lose it for good.

But allowing that to happen would mean throwing away all the achievements, accumulated knowledge and the progress of the past 30 years or more.

And once closed, it would be very difficult to open up again.