A CHARITY has been overwhelmed with messages of support after facing a rent hike of almost 400,000 per cent.

As reported by the Evening Times, Glasgow the Caring City was facing an uncertain future after landlords City Property moved to up their rent to around £4000 a year.

They are planning to leave their Castlemilk premises tomorrow, but are yet to find a permanent home for their organisation.

Glasgow Times:

Since we highlighted their problem, manger Ross Galbraith said they have been inundated with calls and messages from people offering to help.

The charity has been running for 17 years and has not only helped thousands of Glasgow residents it has also shipped tonnes of clothes and goods to countries in need.

READ MORE: Charity feeling the strain after landlord hikes up rent by 400,000%

They had previously benefitted from a symbolic peppercorn rent rate of £1 a year, but have been forced to move since the arms-length council firm told

them the rent would have to go up.

Ross, and his father Neil Galbraith who founded the charity, had previously said they feared for their future but added the charity simply "couldn't close" as too many people relied on them for help.

The pair are still looking to secure a permanent base after they leave tomorrow, but have been overwhelmed with the support from Glasgow residents.

Ross Galbraith said: "The outpouring of concern, particularly form the public but also from the business community about the Evening Times article has been quite significant.

"Our phone was ringing all day. Members of the public, leading figures from business, industry and logistics were getting in touch to make sure we would be able to continue to run.

"We do work with those groups and they've all been expressing their support, it's been so positive,

"In these moments of darkness if you like you do have hope with people coming forward to assist.

"One of the other issues is that it has raised this at a sector-wide level."

Ross has called for other charities or firms who are facing eviction or rent increases to contact him, in the hope of working together to address the problem.

He said: "As a charity that is facing this ourselves, we would encourage any other small business or organisation who is going through the same thing to get in touch and come forward.

"We can see if there is any way we can draw from our collective experience or contacts and see if we can help anyone."

City Property said Glasgow the Caring City chose not to renew their lease at 12 Linn Park Industrial estate, and added: "We do not comment on the commercial terms of any leases we have."

As reported by the Evening Times last week, the company kicked out the Ruchill Furniture Project from its Chapel Street base and said founders had been illegally occupying the site for years.

Greater Maryhill Foodbank was also forced to leave its premises on the same street due to rent arrears, while the Afro-Caribbean centre on Osborne Street was forced out in April over mounting debts of more than £60,000.