A holiday club that gives families of children with special needs a break is facing closure because of a cash crisis.

The North Wilts Holiday Club, which has been running for 30 years, provides three days a week of activities and days out for three weeks every summer.

But with donations falling, the charity, which receives no grant support, may not be able to continue next year.

The club, based at St Nicholas Primary School in Chippenham, needs £30,000 a year to put on its activities but will have to take up to £10,000 from its reserves to foot the bill this summer.

It takes the children on trips to places including Longleat and Bristol Zoo.

Chairman Tanya Brunt-Murphy, whose husband and two sons are on the autistic spectrum, has called the club a life-saver.

“It is an absolute god-send,” said Mrs Brunt-Mur-phy, of Pewsham.

“It is so difficult working full-time and having to juggle childcare too. I don’t know how I would cope during the summer months without the club.

“My youngest, who is 13, regularly goes, and I can’t tell you how relieved I feel to know without question that he is safe and being cared for. It is a life-saver to me.”

Volunteer Amanda Sperr-itt, who has been helping out with fundraising for ten years, said there is a huge demand for places.

“Many of the children and young people who use our services need specialist one-to-one care,” she said.

“All of them suffer with learning disabilities or are on the autistic spectrum, and a lot of them have physical or sensory difficulties. There are 80 children using the club this year, and we just don’t have space for any more.”

Mrs Sperritt said the charity is having difficulty raising funds this year but is still receiving some help.

“We really are so grateful for all of the people who help to support us, such as the Devizes Lions. An all-male singing group called End Of The Track have helped us to raise around £500 this year alone,” she said.

“The holiday club really is an indispensible service. The people who come along remember us and the fun they’ve had, which is amazing, and it gives their parents and carers a break. We really do rely on the kindheartedness of those who help us to keep going.”

To support the charity, readers can text NWHC11, followed by the amount between £1 and £10 they would like to donate, to 70070.