A SPECIAL needs group which was on the brink of closure has thanked the Evening Press for helping to keep it afloat.

Managers at Clifton-based charity SNAPPY thanked the paper and other organisations at its annual general meeting last night, for providing much-needed cash.

The Evening Press, which backed a fundraising campaign for the charity, awarded the group £5,000 from a grant awarded by the Gannett Foundation - a charity wing of the American newspaper giant, which is the paper's parent company.

Six intrepid mothers, known as the Over The Hill Gang - who were put in touch with the charity by the Evening Press - also raised £40,000 after completing a marathon charity walk.

SNAPPY was established 17 years ago and runs activities for people of all ages with learning difficulties.

The money raised has helped to re-establish the SNAPPY's Youth Project and Senior SNAPPY Club, which provides a range of different activities.

SNAPPY project manager Anne Pemberton told the meeting it must look towards gaining the support of local businesses to secure its future. We've had a fabulous year and a lot of that is down to the Evening Press," she said.

"The future looks OK but we need to work towards getting our own premises. I know that is a pipe dream at the moment. We're surviving by the skin of our teeth.

"Even if just five businesses adopt a project that would keep us going for another five years."

Mrs Pemberton also praised Woolworth's and Hallmark which have adopted SNAPPY as their chosen charities.

SNAPPY members gave their own special presentation to the AGM and acted out trips to the Minster, the seaside and a fair, to a thunderous round of applause.

Member Kate Hardcastle, who has Downs Syndrome, told the meeting, which included the Lord Mayor, Coun David Horton: "Thank you for everything you've done for us.

"All the staff have been great to us. I want all my friends to go to SNAPPY."

Updated: 11:54 Tuesday, October 29, 2002