MP Appeals for Help to Save Club for Vulnerable Children

2.47.32pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 23rd Jan 2008

A greatly valued Saturday club for vulnerable children with learning difficulties is in imminent danger of closing as the charity which operates it has run out of cash. The club, which is over subscribed and meets in both Hampton and Mortlake on Saturdays, takes 25 children at each centre and has a waiting list. The 8 to 16 year old children mostly go to Clarendon school, have 'moderate learning difficulties' and have no social life other than that provided by the club.

The club has run successfully for 7 to 8 years but Crossroads Care, which runs it, can no longer raise the £50,000 a year (£25,000 for each centre) and staff face redundancy at Easter.

Vincent Cable said: "it would be a tragedy for the families if the club was closed. The club is the nearest some of the children have to a social life and it also gives the families a break from managing what are often very demanding children. I have been to the club and it does brilliant work. I am writing to potential sources of funding but I hope that, by publicising the crisis, it may be possible to identify new sources of support.