Shock closure threat to vital Sussex charity

A successful Sussex charity which helps around 500 autistic children and their families may close unless it raises thousands of pounds in the next six weeks.

The Sussex Autistic Society announced last week that it was ending its services until a gap of 20,000-30,000 could be plugged.

Around 60 parents and children turned up to one of the charity's Saturday play schemes based at the South Downs Family Centre in Rustington, only to hear that it would be their last meeting.

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Parent Rosie Clarke from Ashington has two boys aged eight and nine who both attend the centre. Still reeling from the news she said: "It was a real shock and we had no idea that it was closing.

"We were told that all the future plans were on hold and that lots of money was needed to keep the services going.

"We had no idea that it was this bad and it's a real loss to our family '“ we are devastated. The children enjoyed going there and everyone was in tears when they found out about all this. It's a shame because of all the work that has been done. There is nothing like this place in Sussex at all."

Full story in West Sussex Gazette, November 17