A LOCAL activities club for teenagers has vowed to battle on for the sake of the children despite a lack of support from their parents.

With about 200 young members registered, the president of Radcliffe Girls' and Boys' Club, Mr Ronald Morris, this week launched a scathing attack on their parents. He says that they see the organisation as a cheap baby-sitting service.

Their lack of support came to a head on Saturday when only two parents visited a Christmas fair at the club's Withins Avenue headquarters.

The fund-raiser was held in conjunction with Radcliffe and Whitefield Lions Club, whose members set up three stalls of their own during the afternoon event.

"The money raised from the fair was not even worth counting," said a disappointed Mr Morris.

"As with many other events organised to raise money for the club members, the parents did not lend their support. In their eyes we are just a cheap and convenient baby-sitting service. What they don't realise is that if clubs like ours close down it is their children who suffer. They are the ones who have nowhere to go and nothing to do except hang around on street corners."

The club regularly takes its members on day trips during which youngsters can enjoy ice-skating, water sports and other challenging activities, and they learn many new skills during their weekly meetings.

Despite the lack of parental support, Mr Morris remains adamant that the club will survive - whatever the cost.

He stressed: "We will keep organising fund-raising events with or without the support of the parents."

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