AS SHE mucks in with the washing up, Donna lets out a roaring laugh.
Chatting animatedly, she looks relaxed and happy.
But just a few years ago, she was trapped in a violent marriage that lasted more than 20 years.
After plucking up the courage to flee to a women's refuge, she was told about the work of Hull's Willow Women's Centre.
"It has been an absolute lifeline for me," she says, as she clears up after the centre's management committee meeting.
"I am a lot happier, a lot more confident and I put it all down to Willow. It has given me another purpose in life."
Willow – Woman Into Life, Leisure Or Work – has helped thousands of women denied life's opportunities since it was launched in 1994.
However, it could now be forced to close after a bid for hundreds of thousands of pounds of Lottery funding was rejected.
With traditional sources of charity funding drying up, centre co-ordinators Sylvia Kilvington and Jacqui Newman have been forced to think the unthinkable.
Both women got involved with the centre after seeing its work first-hand – Jacqui as a learner, Sylvia as a tutor.
Because of that, both women are determined not to give up without a fight.
"It came as such a shock when we found out that our application for funding had been rejected," says Sylvia.
"It felt like we had to have a grieving period. I still can't think this could be reality. I just think, 'Willow can't close. It won't close.'
"It would be a tragedy. Where would the women go?
"We feel so determined not to let it happen. We are down, but not out."
The centre has survived on �400,000 from the Lottery's Reaching Communities for the past four years.
Now, they are running on reserves, which are quickly evaporating.
Donna says: "For it to go would be an absolute tragedy.
"The first time I came here, I heard someone laughing their head off in one of the classes and I thought, 'she sounds pretty jolly, it must be all right'."
Donna started out by taking courses in maths and English at the centre, which is based in the grounds of Hall Road Primary School in north Hull.
From there, she has gone on to learn how to solder in a DIY course, brushed up on her art skills and has danced the calories away with Zumba.
Donna now feels confident enough to volunteer to help on day trips run by the centre for local women and their children. She says: "It is fabulous here. We are like an extended family.
"It is just so sad that there doesn't seem to be any funding. It would just be a travesty if it has to close.
"They have given me the confidence to move on. If you just want to ring up and have a chat, they are there. Nothing's too much trouble."
On a tour around the modest building, Sylvia proudly points out work that has been done by women using the centre.
Stitched into a large piece of fabric on the wall of the corridor are words used by the women to sum up Willow.
Safe and sanctuary are there, but so is laughter.
"A lot of what we do might be available at adult education centres, but the women who come to us wouldn't go there," says Sylvia.
"It is about the support network we offer them – it is the counselling facilities, the creche and the help we provide to help build self-esteem."
Jacqui says: "The knock-on effect on their health and wellbeing is far more important than just doing a course.
"It is the relationship we have with the women – they are not just a number or a piece of paper. We get to know about their lives.
"A lot of the women who no longer come to the centre say they feel like they can drop in or ring up anytime. It is like a big family."
They point to one user, who was so moved by the centre's plight that she wrote to multi-millionaire Hull City owner Assem Allam to beg for his help.
Although there has not yet been a reply, Sylvia and Jacqui are still clinging to the hope their prayers will be answered from somewhere.
"Not being here is unimaginable," says Jacqui.
Allowing herself a brief moment of sadness before her resolve kicks in, Sylvia adds: "These are not just our jobs. The centre is part of our lives, it has made us better people.
"It is just an amazing place."
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