SPECIAL Needs Activities And Play Provision York is quite a mouthful and perhaps some readers are wondering what it is.

However, I suspect a lot more of you have heard of SNAPPY, especially if you are the parent or carer of a child or young person with learning difficulties. In which case you will know all about these schemes and the opportunities they offer to those attending either Junior SNAPPY on Saturdays or Senior SNAPPY on Monday and Friday evenings.

The programmes provide maximum variety for all ages and interests with the underlying theme of promoting self-sufficiency in preparation for future life.

All this needs money and it has run out. Senior SNAPPY will close its doors for the last time on Friday and Junior SNAPPY meets for the last time on Saturday.

Funding has been received from a variety of sources and has to compete with a growing number of organisations both for city council cash and for charitable donations. York Mencap supports both junior and senior clubs as far as possible but it is a small branch and its finances are limited.

The city council has no funds available to help and letters to other organisations which have helped in the past have produced nothing. So the doors will close unless the people and small businesses of York can help ensure its future.

If every individual were to donate £1 and local businesses £100, SNAPPY could look forward with confidence. Please try to help. Send your donations to me at the address below, or to Anne Pemberton, Executive Officer, SNAPPY, Burton Stone Community Centre, Evelyn Crescent, York YO3 6DR.

S K Long,

Honorary Chairman,

York Mencap,

86 Alma Terrace, York, YO10 4DJ.