claydon: Cheers are resounding at a Suffolk charity today after it was awarded nearly a quarter of a million pounds to save its services from drastic cutbacks.

Out and About, which helps children with disabilities take part in mainstream activities, has today been awarded �236,000 from the government’s Transition Fund.

The news comes as their funding was dropped to the point where they would have to cut back on services, at the same time as a rise in demand.

Charity chief executive Steve Allman said: “We have obviously been quite badly affected by the cuts. Closing down completely was never going to happen, but we would have had to drastically reduce the number of disabled children that we support.

“We are really pleased with the news as we’ve spent months looking at how we were going to carry on helping the same number of children with the resources we had.

“For us, it means a bit more security and sustainability. I’m really proud of all the hard work from the team and their patience, and I would also like to thank the children we work with for their involvement.”

The charity will now have the security for at least the next year to continue its work supporting disabled children in learning valuable life skills. They also work closely with Brownie and Scout groups, youth clubs, sports teams and many others to find ways of including disabled youngsters in their activities.

Cecilia Foulger, whose son Matthew uses the charity’s services, said: “This is fantastic news. Out and About has made a huge difference to our lives. Matthew has become far more independent and confident as a result of their support. I don’t know what I would have done without them and it’s good to know that many more disabled children can benefit from their good work.”

The government Transition Fund is managed by the Big Lottery Fund and helps charities find ways of sustaining their income until the economy improves.

n Have you been helped by Out and About? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstar letters@eveningstar.co.uk