A charity that helps adults with disabilities by getting them involved in gardening could close due to a funding crisis.
The Charnwood Gardening Project, which is based in Loughborough and has been running for 18 years, needs to raise £15,000 by June to meet a funding shortfall and stave off closure.
It helps up to 34 people who have learning or physical disabilities as well as those with mental health issues, by running gardening workshops, craft sessions and other activities from its gardens in Forest Road.
Project co-ordinator Bobby Bartlett, who is employed by Voluntary Action Charnwood, said the funding situation had reached crisis point.
Mrs Bartlett, the only full-time worker who is helped by about 10 volunteers, said: "It costs about £27,000 a year for us to continue operating.
"I've been put on a redundancy notice until June. I'm told it can be extended but, unfortunately, if we can't raise £15,000 by then the project will have to close down."
Mrs Bartlett said county council austerity measures had hit the charity hard in recent years.
She said: "Until two years ago, almost our entire budget came from Leicestershire County Council's adult social services budget.
"That disappeared overnight when changes to grant funding saw personal budgets for each client introduced.
"It meant that our services were no longer free at point of access and the system was very confusing."
The project has struggled on with the help of smaller, one-off grants, fund-raising and selling its produce.
Mrs Bartlett said: "To keep us going, we've also had to dip into our reserves but they have just about run out."
Audrey Glenn, of Syston, whose autistic son Graham, 43, has been attending the gardening project twice a week for the past 17 years, said she was "very concerned" at the possible closure.
She said: "I don't know how I am going to explain to Graham that he won't be able to continue attending.
"It's helped him in so many ways, including socialising with others and giving him a bit of independence by teaching him to travel by train alone and also selling the produce. It's such an important part of his routine and is vital to his sense of confidence and wellbeing."
Mrs Bartlett said she had been inundated with messages of support from councillors, residents and other organisations, but is now desperately seeking sponsorship, from businesses in particular.
To help, or to make a donation, call 01509 631750 or e-mail: bobby.smith@voluntaryactioncharnwood.org.uk
