Families 'in tears' as children's charity to close

A charity that provides activity clubs and residential breaks for disabled children, young people and their families is to close after 22 years, leaving some users in tears according to its founder.

Stephanie Lawley, who set up the Central Cheshire Buddy Scheme, better known as Cheshire Buddies in Crewe, said the service would shut in December due to a "whole host of factors" including the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and difficulties in securing funding.

Lawley said she was "really sorry" for the outcome.

"It's just so hard, we feel like we are getting no help from anyone and it has got to the point where we can't fight anymore," she added.

Lawley said the charity started out with 10 children and one club a week and had grown to running six clubs a week, supporting more than 80 children.

It runs a variety of activities, with children this summer canoeing over the Llangollen aqueduct in Wales.

Reacting on Facebook to the news, one parent said that the impact the charity had on their son was "unforgettable", and it was where "his journey to independence began and the love for canoeing blossomed".

Another parent commented that the charity had been a "huge and special part" of their daughter's life, and "amazing lifelong memories" had been created from "wonderful experiences".

Lawley said the cost-of-living crisis had had a "huge impact" on the charity.

"Increase in fuel prices is having a huge effect on us because we have a minibus, and take children to different places," she said.

"Activity costs, staffing and everything is just continuing to go up and we have used up all of our savings."

Lawley said the charity had made funding bids but had been unsuccessful where they would have seen breakthroughs in the past, and cited the high demand for help.

"One organisation who had £68k in the pot available for organisations said they had £168k in bids, and it just keeps going like that with so many saying 'I am sorry the demand is too much'," she said.

"I think it is going to get worse, and I don't think we are going to be the last to go."

Lawley added that herself and the staff were "devastated" but "there is no future sustainability".

Lawley said the charity wanted to "go out with a bang", hosting Christmas parties and pantomimes for children and their families.

"We know that there are a lot of families that rely on Buddies, it's just we can't carry on anymore," she said.

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