Over £20,000 has been raised through crowdfunding in a bid to save Edinburgh's much-loved Gorgie Farm from closure.
News of Gorgie City Farm's shock closure came "out of the blue" to 23 staff members , volunteers and local councillors on Friday (November 1).
Now, a former employee, Hannah Ryan, has set up a GoFundMe page to raise £100,000 to save the 40-year-old farm.
In an appeal to donors, she said: "It [Gorgie Farm] has been part of Edinburgh's identity for the past 40 years and has overcome many challenges, sadly we now face our biggest challenge yet.
"Edinburgh and it's future generation cannot afford to lose this farm especially in a time when people are becoming more and more removed from nature, having a farm within the city limits is invaluable.
Writing that staff had "no warning" and were not given the chance to make "a last minute appeal", she adds: "We want this organisation to stay open and we need your support to help us.
"This farm is one of the last of it's kind in Scotland. Edinburgh and it's future generations cannot afford to lose Gorgie City Farm. Please help to save this organisation.
"Do it for the volunteers we support - we estimate 45% have addition learning needs and many advance into work through this experience.
"Do it for the children who learn to love animals right here at Gorgie Farm.
"Do it for the enrichment this farm gives to families, especially those on a low income who can spend the day here and are not forced to pay an entry fee equivalent to a weekly food shop.
"Do it for the Edinburgh we WANT and not the Edinburgh that we have."
The farm, which welcomes around 200,000 visitors a year, have supported over 200 volunteers since January and have educated nearly 2,000 children.
It is also home to over 100 animals, including around 50 livestock that are now set to be slaughtered if the farm is not saved.
Following news of the closure, scores of residents have taken to Twitter to express their outrage at the potential loss of what has been described an "Edinburgh institution" and are calling on councillors to step in.
One man said: "What does it say about Edinburgh’s cultural ecology where a commercial for-profit Christmas market with no planning permission cruises on whilst the 40 year old free access city farm drops dead."
Edinburgh Greens' South West candidate, Ben Parker, visited the site yesterday to show his support for the campaign to save the farm.
Gavin Corbett, Green councillor for Fountainbridge and Craiglockhart, has also said that he will look into "what kind of future there might be for the farm".
You can donate to Gorgie Farm's GoFundMe here.
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