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CLOSING DOWN: Calne Family Action Group members Karen and Stephen Golding, back, and Stephen Golding jnr with chairman Vicky Waite, front centre, and Robert Stinchcombe

A SUPPORT group that helped hundreds of low-income families in Calne has been forced to shut down.

Calne Family Action Group held a farewell disco on Thursday to thank volunteers and donors for their support since 2001.

Support group chairman Vicky Waite, 61, of The Knapp, said she had been forced to fold the group because of a lack of volunteers.

The Calne group was well known in the town for supporting single parent families or those with low income.

She said: "It is so emotional to have to fold the group. We were a part of the community and a place for people to turn when they were going through bad times.

"We used to take families to the seaside twice a year, host playgroups and workshops for people in Calne.

"I became involved because I just wanted to help out. Calne has a lot of low-income families and living in Colemans Farm I would see a lot of their problems.

"I think people would open up to me because they knew I was part of the community and would understand.

"We would like to thank everyone for their help over the years. We have been so lucky with funding and without the help of the town council many families wouldn't have been helped.

"It is a sad time but, without the volunteers, we just couldn't carry on."

Mrs Waite took over as chair of the group two years ago after founder Maria Diamond died.

Calne Family Action Group secured funding from the town council and other committees in North Wiltshire.

The group tried to manage with a committee of six but, with no volunteers coming forward to help out, Mrs Waite was forced to tell the families she wouldn't be able to visit them in the future.

More than 100 people flocked to the farewell disco to thank volunteers who played a part in helping Calne families.

Calne Mayor Roy Golding, who attended the farewell disco, said: "The council has always been pleased to help Calne Family Action Group and we are all sorry the group is folding."

Families will have support at the new Barnardo's Sure Start Children's Centre in Prince Charles Drive which opened on March 17. The £750,000 centre aims to link families who feel neglected to local support services.

11:55am Thursday 27th March 2008

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