A SCHOOLBOY who volunteers at Donnington Doorstep family centre is to make an impassioned plea for help for the centre from Oxford City Council.

Adam Berry, a pupil at St Gregory the Great School in East Oxford, will speak at the start of a full meeting of the city council on Monday.

The 15-year-old wants councillors to see if they can find some way to help the cash-strapped service.

Last month, the Oxford Mail revealed Donnington Doorstep was cutting its drop-in service back to Wednesday mornings only due to funding pressures.

Adam, who has volunteered there for five years, said he wanted to help find funding.

He said: "There are people who use the centre who have disabilities or illnesses who are not able to look after their children independently during the day.

"The centre gives them help. It is a really good chance for kids and parents to meet up.

"The centre will help out with any family issues.

"I want to give the councillors a little information about how Doorstep makes a difference for parents and show them how it should not be in this situation."

The family centre used to get £60,000 each year from Oxfordshire County Council but that grant ended last March.

Since then it has been forced to reduce the services it offers.

Last week campaigners protested before a meeting of the county council to ask for financial support for the 1,600 children and their parents who use the services each year.

Adam started volunteering after the centre handed out leaflets at his primary school telling pupils about opportunities there.

He said: "I do anti-bullying activities and I help out with the youth centre.

"During term time I help out as a play assistant and I help out with the cooking.

"The services Doorstep provides are great."

Adam will speak at the city council thanks to a procedure that allows members of the public to ask questions and make petitions before meetings.

He has been supported by Cowley city councillor David Henwood, who helped him submit his application to speak.

Adam said: "I am a bit nervous about it but also looking forward to it.

"When it is for a good case it makes it easier.

"I am from Donnington and that is why the centre is so important to me.

"Donnington is not a big area and we do not get the funding that goes to bigger areas such as Blackbird Leys."

The city council meeting starts at the Town Hall at 5pm on Monday.