A campaign by a group of weekly newspapers to raise £5,000 to save a juice bar run by disabled people has won the backing of R&B singer Jade Jones.

Newsquest’s North London Times Series launched its Give Us Some Juice campaign earlier this year to raise the funds needed to save the Drink It Juice Bar at Finchley Youth Theatre from closure.

The juice bar was set up last July and has so far trained 14 people with learning disabilities to work there but it faces closure at the end of this year unless at least £5,000 is raised to save it.

The campaign by the papers has raised £1,786 so far towards the target and it has also gained wide-ranging support, including from R&B singer Jade Jones, the former lead singer of Damage, who is married to Spice Girl Emma Bunton.

He said: “It gives people with learning disabilities a chance to do some work and it’s fun as well. They can get involved and do something that gives back to the community.

“They’re doing a fantastic job and deserve great rewards. I’d urge everyone to get behind it.”

The campaign has been spearheaded by reporters Emma Phippen and Natalie O’Neill.

Said Emma:  “It was a cause that appealed to us so we thought we could do something to help them out.”

The juice bar has so far trained 14 adults with learning disabilities to work there, where they get a paid wage as well as gaining qualifications.

It was set up with a grant from Barnet Council but funding ran out last December, leaving the project running entirely from its own profits.

The Times Series includes the Hendon and Finchley Times, Barnet and Potters Bar Times and Edgware and Mill Hill Times.