The woman who started a petition to save the Ipswich Foyer has said she is “overwhelmed” by the public’s response.

Almost 2,500 people have signed the appeal, which is calling on Circle Housing Wherry and Suffolk County Council to keep the supported housing scheme running after it was announced last month that the centre was under threat due to a lack of funding.

Becki Bunn, who stayed at the Foyer for six months as a teenager, created an online petition on change.org, urging people to: “Help save 44 young people from being made homeless.”

“I’m completely overwhelmed by the amount of people that have asked how they can help me and the petition,” the 26-year-old said.

“The response has been wholly positive. No one can understand the logic behind giving up on such a unique and helpful resource. Even people who didn’t know about the Foyer now see the positive impact it makes on our community. “The next milestone for the petition is 2,500 signatures; reaching this would be phenomenal, and hopefully something that the council cannot ignore.”

Miss Bunn, of York Road, Ipswich, will present the petition to site owner Circle Housing Wherry and funding provider Suffolk County Council once it reaches its 2,500 target.

A Facebook page has also been set up called: “Save the FOYER for Ipswich”, and is being followed by almost 200 people.

To view the petition visit: www.change.org/p/fight-for-ipswich-foyer-save-44-young-homeless-peopleA 12-week consultation is underway where people interested in the future of the Foyer can email their views to: tony.long@circle.org.uk before July 31.