Addiction charity Focus is searching for a professional fundraiser to create and spearhead a fresh initiative.

The Hamilton-based organisation offers a comprehensive list of services and programmes to addicts in Bermuda, but is facing closure as it struggles to raise the $450,000 a year required to remain operational. Focus’ most recent fundraiser took place last month, when a “tag day” on Saturday December 19 saw volunteers selling badges outside stores, including Harrington Hundreds and Modern Mart.

Sandy Butterfield, who co-founded the charity in 1993, thanked the shops, the volunteers and those who gave money to boost the charity’s coffers by $1,783. For Focus’ next project, Mrs Butterfield is searching for somebody with prior experience in planning and executing an event for a good cause.

“We’re really looking for a professional fundraiser to help us raise money so that Focus can stay alive,” she told The Royal Gazette.

Mrs Butterfield also put out a call for good samaritans to pay a monthly $85, for one year in total, directly into either Focus’ HSBC account (ref: 006047104001) or its Butterfield Bank account (ref: 200001060177594100).

The money will be used to pay the charity’s running costs, as well as its programmes to help both active and recovering addicts.