AN after school club for children that distraught parents claim has changed the lives of their disabled youngsters is under threat.


The group, which is organised by the charity Crossroads Care is under threat after Essex County Council pulled £36,000 worth of funding from the initiative.


Cash is so tight for the group, which caters for people aged from five to 19 who have conditions like autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, that parents have been asked to donate money to its coffers – but it is not enough.


It meets once a week at Castleford School, in Wickford, and with its reserves running low, it needs to find £10,000 a year otherwise it will have to fold.


Bob Collum, whose autistic son Jack, 11, goes to the weekly meet, said: “As parents, you cannot put a monetary value on how beneficial the group is.


“It gives him the opportunity to play with the other kids – it’s all a big character building thing and they have been so good to Jack down there.
 

“We pay for it now but it’s worth every penny. As parents you need that one or two hour break a week.”


The group offers activities such as trips to the cinema, bowling and adventure playgrounds, as well as in-house initiatives like painting and animal workshops.