A MOTHER is appealing to parents of mentally handicapped children to join her in a campaign to stop charges on day care centres.

Mrs Margaret Darwin, 70, has refused to pay the costs of the Enfield Training Centre, Accrington, since they were introduced by Lancashire County Council last year.

Her handicapped son Paul, 47, has attended for 30 years and has never had to pay for the service.

Charges were introduced because of a reduction in funding and now members are expected to pay £1.55 a week from their care allowance.

But Mrs Darwin said that parents at Enfield were not angered by the amount, but by the principle of handicapped people having to pay for a service which has always been free.

She also states it would cost the council more if she said she couldn't look after Paul and had to move him into a home.

Mrs Darwin used to attend a group in Preston who were fighting the issue, but after this dissolved she has been trying to start a campaign in Hyndburn. She has attended groups in Bradford who have recently visited the House of Commons to air their grievances to MPs. They are now gathering public support with a petition.

Mrs Darwin, of Willows Lane, Accrington, said: "It's not the amount it's the principle. If we start paying now they could be increased to match other council's charges - some people are paying £25 a week.

"My son went to the day centre as a continuation of school. Now we are expected to start paying and we all object strongly."

A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council said: "The purpose of the charging policy is to produce income to meet a small part of the cost of provision of social care services.

"The council has very reluctantly accepted the need to generate revenue from charges and has made a number of representations to the Government about the inadequacy of community care funding."

Anyone who wants to join the campaign should contact Margaret on 01254 233354.

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