The Paper Trail has just weeks to find almost £200,000 or it may beforced to close its doors forever.

The Apsley charity's Frogmore Mill is nationally renowned but the group became a victim of the credit crunch when it failed to sell a piece of land last year.

Now Audrey Batchelor, a member of Hemel Hempstead Movie Makers who has strong family connections with the mill, will show a film she and a friend made in the 1980s.

Her father-in-law Frank Batchelor, who has since passed away, was chief engineer at the firm when he retired and many other family members
also worked there.

Audrey's film shows Frank arriving for work and then takes viewers on a tour of the paper making process from waste paper going in to the finished product at the end.

It will be screened on Wednesday, February 4 from 8pm at The Paper Trail Mill, Frogmore Mill, Fourdrinier Way in Apsley. A film about the site made by the BBC is also expected to be shown.

Entry is free but retired Audrey, 76, hopes it will raise awareness of the group's plight and prompt people to dig deep for the good cause.

The charity has so far managed to get together £35,500 but cannot secure
a bank loan to keep going without further public support.

Audrey said: "It has always been very dear to our hearts and it is somewhere that is worth saving.

"I feel very strongly about this. It is the only thing we have got left in Hemel that has got anything to do with paper, which is what the town is famous for.

"Everyone is up in arms because it is our heritage."

A cash injection from the Heritage Lottery Fund of £1million helped
turn the award-winning site into a major tourist attraction that has welcomed 20,000 visitors since July last year. But the economic downturn
means future plans have stalled.

It is also a hub for recycling and substainablity that is praised by environmentalists and endorsed by schools.

Chief executive at The Paper Mill Jacky Bennett said: "We really are
depending on the public and local companies to help if they possibly can."

Anyone who would like to know more about the appeal of The Paper Trail can contact Jacky on 01442 234600, email jackybennett@thepapertrail.org.uk or visit the website www.thepapertrail.org.uk.


How can you help?

Become a Friend of The Paper Trail as a family (£30), a couple (£18) or
individual (£12).
Concessions are available.

Cash donations can be made at the Paper Trail's Frogmore Mill Visitor
Centre between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 4pm on Sunday.

Cheque donations can be made payable to Apsley Paper Trail and posted to: Give Us A Hand, Apsley Paper Trail, Frogmore Mill, Fourdrinier Way, Apsley, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP3 9RY.

Credit card donations can be made by calling 01442 234600 and asking for a Give Us A Hand co-ordinator.

Businesses and corporate organisations are urged to consider a £5,000 donation as part of their corporate social responsibility policy.