A FOREIGN exchange project has been saved from closure after organisers were flooded with public donations.

Bridport's Japanese exchange programme was facing the axe, after it emerged that the organisers' insurance company had increased costs to almost £3,000 - a rise of more than £2,000.

With just five weeks to go until the 21st anniversary of the exchange, organisers appealed for donations to help keep the scheme on track.

Founder of the exchange programme, Arthur Woodgate, from Bridport Young Persons Action Trust (BYPAT) said: "To say we were devastated is something of an understatement.

“Our young people and their families have been fundraising for over a year to make our 2017 hosting programme possible – this last minute decision by our insurers seemed to make both this, and next year’s visit to Japan, practically impossible.”

Within two weeks of the appeal, more than £2,000 in donations had come flooding in, some from former members of the exchange programme, some from Bridport News readers, with the first contribution coming from the Dorchester based company, Dorset Property Ltd.

Mr Woodgate added: “We are immensely grateful and very touched by the support we have received.

“There’s still a way to go, but the journey is no longer an impossible one, merely difficult – so, back to normality really."

Young people from BYPAT’s partner organisation, the Koyamadai Educational Foundation, are staying with their partners for three weeks until August 19. Activities will include fossil hunting at Charmouth, rib riding at West Bay, exploring Dartmoor and the Isle of Portland, visiting Abbotsbury Swannery and delving into Wookey Hole Caves.

On Sunday (6), the exchange group is holding a commemorative event to mark the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing.

Mr Woodgate added: "Our young people will visit Hiroshima, and quite probably meet one of the survivors who would have been a child at the time. It’s an experience they will never forget.”

All are welcome to join the group and their Quaker Friends at 6.30pm in Bucky Doo Square, then for a silent vigil in the peace garden at the Quaker Meeting House and St Marys Church.

For more information, email a.c.woodgate@btinternet.com or phone 01308 423767.