A TRUST and centre set up as the legacy of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence is facing a financial crisis.

Stephen’s mum Doreen has warned the Deptford centre – opened in 2008 – could close if more money isn’t found while trust chief executive Paul Anderson-Walsh has described the situation as “critical”.

Mr Lawrence, 18, was stabbed to death in 1993 by an Eltham racist gang. Gary Dobson, 36, and David Norris, 35, have recently been jailed for the killing.

Now the trust and his family are using the long-awaited conviction to help put his legacy back in the spotlight.

Urging people to pledge £2 to the charity, Mrs Lawrence said: “People believe because Stephen Lawrence’s name is so high profile the trust doesn’t need any help - but we need help desperately.”

Mr Anderson-Walsh said: “We’re at a critical point financially and we need people to be aware of that.

“We’ve got to work hard to raise the money in order to keep the projects going.”

He added: “The reality is, in common with all charities, donations have declined significantly in recent years because of the economy and a lack of support from public bodies.”

The centre has survived from previous grants but now just has money from the Big Lottery Fund to rely upon.

Mr Anderson-Walsh said trustees were now trying to bring in extra donations while broadening their funding base – with around £200,000 required.

The centre was originally set up to help disadvantaged people into architecture and urban design - a dream that Stephen himself had before he was killed.

It now works with up to 2,000 people a year, providing training, support and projects.

So far it has provided 100 bursaries for architecture students which has yielded eight qualified architects.

There are also a whole range of classes from computer skills for pensioners to a bursary scheme for journalism students. Learning and development programmes are also run for businesses.

It also includes the old jobs club, which was based at Deptford job centre before it was shut down.

Mr Anderson-Walsh said: “Increasingly we’re becoming a repository for local services that can’t run because of the cuts.

“There’s a sense we’re becoming a real centre for the community.”

To donate, text DLAW02 £2 to 70070 or visit stephenlawrence.org.uk