Mystery donor could be centre's saviour

THERE may be a glimmer of hope for families supported by the hard-up Sussex Autistic Society, after an anonymous donor's wonderful £10,000 pledge.

Last week, the Gazette reported that a funding gap of at least 20,000 had forced the charity to suspend its play and respite sessions in Rustington for children with autism, used by 60 families.

As a result of the news, cash has poured into the society's offices in Hassocks from families who use the centre and from people who didn't even know it existed before news of its financial struggle emerged.

And the 10,000 bombshell has given it a tremendous boost.

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John Hayter, director of family services at the society, said with the 10,000, the total raised so far was 12,500 and rising.

"We've had an incredibly kind and generous response from the public," said Mr Hayter. "We've also had pledges of support from all sorts of organisations, including the Worthing branch of the Council for Voluntary Service and the National Autistic Society."

Sarah Slade, of Sandfield Avenue, Littlehampton, who has used the centre with her two sons, both of whom have autism, for the past eight years, said: "That's brilliant news. I'm gobsmacked.

"I've been trying to organise a youth club so the families can continue to meet, but to think that the society may start running again is amazing."

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The society needs to raise 20,000 before its committee meets to decide on whether to continue the service on December 6.

That amount is enough for the service to run for four months and will buy enough time to apply for funding from charity schemes such as Children in Need, which takes months to process.

The society is already supported by West Sussex County Council, which helps fund the centre in Rustington.

But a spokeswoman for the council, Jane Robinson, said no further funding would be made available at the moment and that it was up to the society to find the money needed.

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Mrs Robinson said: "We need to see just how much money has been raised and how much else will be needed."

Mr Hayter added: "The term lifeline has been used again and again. It's absolutely heart-breaking that we have to pick up the phone and tell families that it's all over."

The service, which runs at The Laurels day centre in Rustington, announced its closure two weeks ago. Other services at the centre will continue running as normal.

For more information on the charity, or to make a donation, call 01273 846846.