PRECIOUS family holidays by the seaside for disabled children are under threat because of a lack of council cash.

Over four years more than 100 youngsters have enjoyed special caravan breaks in Blackpool with their parents and able-bodied brothers and sisters thanks to a one-off government grant.

Now the Whitehall cash is ending and Blackburn with Darwen council is struggling to find money to keep renting the specially-adapted static holiday home.

Borough leader Mohammed Khan and Children’s Services boss Maureen Bateson are seeking generous individuals, organisations and companies to plug the £20,000-a-year cash gap.

They are talking to Partington’s Family Caravan Holidays, which owns ‘Amethyst One’, while they seek cash to continue the lease.

Cllr Bateson said the caravan offered a rare opportunity for whole families with a disabled child to holiday together and pledged to do all she could to maintain it Sam Morris, chief executive of Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service, said: “This is a very rare and special service and I hope someone can step in and save it.”

In 2011 the Department for Education provided a one-off £80,000 ‘Aiming High Short Breaks’ grant to the borough’s Children’s Disability Service (CDS).

Town hall bosses consulted the users on spending the money and were told holidays for whole families, including able-bodied siblings, were needed.

They were told traditional short vacations were offered as respite for parents and carers or trips for the disabled youngsters, ignoring able-bodied siblings.

They negotiated a special deal with Partington’s for a fully-adapted caravan at their Newton Hall Holiday Park in Staining, Blackpool, from early 2012.

The families are users of the CDS service who apply for the breaks.

The grant cash runs out next month (NOV) and with tight controls on borough spending Cllr Bateson has been unable to find money to replace it in her budget.

She said: “The caravan breaks have provided an opportunity for a wonderful time for families with children who have a disability who have hugely enjoyed their trips.

“It is often the only time they could go away as a family and they tell us they have had a fantastic time.

“Traditional breaks often ignore the able-bodied siblings and the family’s wish to all holiday together.

“We are currently in discussions with the caravan park and hope to carry on offering these breaks.

“We have to find new ways of funding and see if there is any possibly of sponsorship or business support.

“This was a one-off grant to cover the caravan and breaks for four years and we are working very hard to keep this going.”

Cllr Khan said: “This as a wonderful and very important service for some of our most vulnerable families.

“I really want to save it and if some generous person or organisation or business out there could help, we would really appreciate it.”

Ms Morris said: “It is really rare for families with a disabled child to be able to holiday together including the brothers and sisters.

“The accommodation has to be specially-adapted and can cost hundreds of pounds a week.

“Many families with disabled children are on very tight budgets and free breaks in a suitably-equipped caravan like this is something very special.

“I just hope there are people or companies out there who can help save it for the long-term future.”

Meadowhead councillor Julie Gunn, who raised the issue at this month’s full Council Forum, said: “This a very special service and I have met families who use it who said it was a wonderful break.

“I just hope with the help of generous donors the council can save it.”

Borough Tory group leader Mike Lee said: “I hope they can save the service but I would like to know where the £80,000 went and whether there is a cheaper way of providing it such as buying a pitch and adapted caravan.”

No-one from the Department for Education or Thornton Cleveleys-based Partington’s was available for comment.

 

Have you enjoyed a special caravan holiday? Get in touch will Bill Jacobs (bill.jacobs@nqnw.co.uk)