A significant financial contribution from the Bank of Bermuda Foundation has helped alleviate the Salvation Army?s funding crisis, but programmes to help drug addicts still remain under threat.

The foundation, which helps local charities, has made what it described as a ?sizeable donation? to the Harbour Light and Life Skills programmes which help addicts tackle their abuse and find jobs.

The Salvation Army had, last month revealed that the programmes were facing a $300,000 funding shortfall and were under threat of folding without extra Government cash.

A Bank of Bermuda Foundation spokeswoman refused yesterday to reveal the amount of cash donated, saying it was ?not policy? to do so.

However, Major Lindsay Rowe, Divisional Commander for the Salvation Army in Bermuda, told The Royal Gazette: ?This has reduced the original projected deficit but we are still in a $150,000 to $200,000 deficit position for this year. A deficit of that kind cannot be maintained on an ongoing basis.?

Thanking the foundation for the gift, which is not the first it has made to the Salvation Army, Major Rowe added: ?More than anything else, this is an indication that the community is very supportive of the Salvation Army and its mission. We are very much depending on the community at this point to come alongside us. The Salvation Army is a faith-based organisation and our faith is very much in place that we can find the funding to keep these programmes in place and even expand them in future.?

Announcing the donation yesterday, David Lang, director and secretary of the Bank of Bermuda Foundation said: ?Drugs continue to have a devastating impact on our community on a daily basis, affecting all of us. We are aware of the challenges the Salvation Army faces in funding and hope our contribution can ensure the continuance of these vital programmes.

The issue of Government funding for the Salvation Army hit the headlines after Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson branded the state of its crumbling Marsh Lane shelter for the homeless ?shameful.? At the same time, Major Rowe revealed that Government funding cuts to the addict rehabilitation and employment programmes two years ago had left their future hanging in the balance.

Health Minister Patrice Minors responded to the publicity by saying she was ?fed up? with the Salvation Army?s requests for more money, and accused it of trying to force the Government?s hand.

Earlier this month, Premier Alex Scott told a national press conference that there were concerns about the programme at the shelter, and spoke of meeting homeless people who did not wish to go there.

In an effort to clear the air and move forward from the war of words, Mrs. Minors and Major Rowe are to hold talks tomorrow morning. Major Rowe has previously commented: ?There are obviously some differences but we would rather address that internally. After the meeting we will hopefully be on the same page.?