Cash for disabled children's trips in danger after cuts
A SCHEME that helps families with disabled children to enjoy a holiday could be cut.
More than 500 families from Hull have benefited from payments of up to £370 from the Short Breaks Programme.
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OUT AND ABOUT: Heidi Burton and son Connor, 14, have benefited from the Short Breaks Programme in the past, including trips to Blackpool and Bridlington. Picture: Simon Renilson
Funding for the scheme, which was created under the previous Government, runs out in March next year.
No decision has been made on its future.
Heidi Burton, 33, of north Hull, and her autistic son, Connor, 14, have enjoyed breaks in Blackpool and Bridlington.
The money can also be used to pay for day trips to attractions such as theme parks or museums.
Miss Burton said: "The money really made a difference to us. I have never really known much about what benefits were available to us and this helped us a lot.
"Connor really likes the seaside, especially Blackpool, so we went there. It gave us a chance to go out as a family and Connor really enjoyed himself. He loved it and it was great to see him happy."
The scheme is delivered by the charity Kids on behalf of Hull City Council.
Melanie Parsons, Kids' assistant director, told the Mail: "We don't know what will happen yet because of the spending review.
"We want as many families as possible to know about the scheme and get access to the money that is available.
"We know Hull has a high level of deprivation and families with disabled children struggle more financially anyway.
"Sometimes a holiday or short break can be more expensive for these families because of the needs of the disabled child. They might need specialist accommodation, equipment or insurance.
"Having the money to go on a holiday or short break or day out can give them some relaxing time together as a family and can give them something to look forward to, which is so important.
"It has been hugely successful and we want as many people to take advantage of it as possible."
For more information about Kids or the scheme, call 01482 467540.
10 Comments
by Billy, Hull
Wednesday, December 29 2010, 11:02PM
“Maybe if Lucy and not so Fantastic voyager had disabled children or people with disabilities they would not be so callous and get of ones high horses.”
by Ron, laurieton.NSW.Oz
Wednesday, December 29 2010, 10:21PM
“I was a recipitant of something like this in the 1940/50 &60s. Though not gov/ funded. So folks like Lucy & Fantastic Voyenger, I would not bring myself down to your level.Though one word. JEALOUSY.”
by Unpaid worker, Hull
Wednesday, December 29 2010, 7:33PM
“Fantastic voyager -- you are a complete muppett-- you comment on every site- have you nothing better to do?
You and LUCY- clearly have NO understanding of disablity, inclusion, discrimination or what it takes to be a parent of a child with disablities. I work with children with special needs and I take my hat off to how parents manage.
This funding, and other funding to support children with special needs and their parents is essential. But ignorant people like you too are too thick to understand. In my opinion Fantastic voyager- you have caused offence with your commnets and I have taken stepps to address that. Hang your heads in shame.
And for good measure, the same to the politicians who would consider such cuts.”
by a parent with a disabled child, hull
Wednesday, December 29 2010, 6:52PM
“lucy, fantastic voyager, your so sad people, your the sort of people who dont care about anybody else but yourself.
to live with a disable child is very hard and stress full hope one day you never have to deal with it but then again you abandon any help as you can afford to g”
by Elsie Tanner, Hull nr corrie
Wednesday, December 29 2010, 6:44PM
“The soup course should be stopped in prisons, then the money saved should be channelled into schemes such as this one.”
by In the Know!, Hull
Wednesday, December 29 2010, 6:41PM
“Seriously Fantastic Voyager your words are disgraceful, you sick foolish person god help you if anything should ever happen to you or your family/loved ones in future! And Lucy do you not think that looking after a disabled child 24/7 means that you cant work and earn extra cash to pay for holidays etc?Use your brains you insensitive fool!”
by Lucy, Hull
Wednesday, December 29 2010, 2:47PM
“Sorry but I disagree with this scheme anyway.
Just because someone's child is disabled they are entitled to a few hundred pound?
What's so different from them saving up and taking them on day trips and on short breaks like other people have to??”
by Wondering where the real news is, Hull
Wednesday, December 29 2010, 12:15PM
“A SCHEME that helps families with disabled children to enjoy a holiday could be cut.
No decision has been made on its future.
So where is the story in what 'could' happen when no decision has yet been made?
So far the HDM would have us believe that the coilition support rapists by cutting funding for the cold case department in the police force and now are going to penilise the disabled and their families.... scaremongering by any chance? Why not more stories of the useless things that ARE going to be cut? What about the waste in government and local councils that we'll be happy to see the back of? Oh that's right doesn't have the same impact as punishing the disabled and rape victims does it?
Give me facts HDM not scaremongering!”
by Realist, Hull
Wednesday, December 29 2010, 12:02PM
“This is a real shame.
When you think how much the council squanders it is sad that they can't fund this charity for whom a little really does go a long way.”
by anon, hull
Wednesday, December 29 2010, 9:39AM
“what a shame we to benefited from this scheme as we have a son of 2 years who is registered disabled we used this money to take him and his older brother for a short break in a caravan, I must also say KIDS do a fantastic job and have helped our family so much”