MENTION the YMCA and most people immediately think of that song and do a silly dance.

But there is a serious side to this registered charity.

Not many people realise that YMCA Central Herts needs to raise at least £5,000 every week from voluntary donations and fundraising to support its vital work within the community.

So it is for this reason that the Welwyn Hatfield Review has teamed up with YMCA Central Herts to launch our Making Space for Life Campaign.

The aim of the appeal is to raise money and awareness for the charity.

For example, YMCA Central Herts does much more than provide people with a bed for a night.

It also provides learning and personal development opportunities for people of all ages and looks to give them a chance to realise their full potential.

On Friday its drop-in centre Space officially opened its doors in Hatfield.

This vital community centre could transform the lives of thousands of people, but the charity needs more money to turn the derelict basement into a hub of excitement and activity for people of all ages.

Space is a local partnership of youth and community centres.

The Review and YMCA are together aiming to raise £80,000 to transform the basement area, with all money raised being put to good use at Space either by paying for the refurbishment or by contributing towards the running costs.

YMCA Central Herts also offers affordable supported housing for 123 of the most vulnerable people (including homeless, young people, asylum seekers and people released from prison) across the area.

It offers good quality, affordable and accessible services for children, young people and families. These include two day nurseries, holiday play schemes, after-school clubs, breakfast clubs and four Sure Start Children Centres.

Young people gain access to a variety of opportunities designed to enable and inspire development through programmes too.

Since May it has engaged with over 200 young people each week to provide them with positive activities in the Welwyn Garden City area.

It regularly sees over 300 visitors per week at its Space facilities, has enabled 42 people to successfully move in to independent accommodation and has worked with over 35 of our residents to help them obtain employment or training opportunities 18 people to address alcohol or substance misuse.

Every week the Review will publish an article showing our readers the incredible work that goes on behind the scenes at this unique charity. We also want to hear from anyone who has been helped by YMCA Central Herts.

You can donate online by clicking the related link below or send a cheque made payable to "Central Herts YMCA" to YMCA Central Herts, 2 Tewin Court, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 1AU. Or you can email fundraising@ymcacentralherts.org.uk or call 01707 290717.