D-day was looming today for a threatened service for young York people with learning difficulties.

As a crucial last-minute appeal for cash was made by Special Needs Activities and Play Provision York (SNAPPY) organisers, the teenagers and young adults who attend each week made a heartfelt plea to Evening Press readers for help.

And they estimated as little as £3,000 a month could save the "lifeline" which teaches them vital life skills and lets them meet old and new friends from closure.

Cash grants from the National Lottery and the Northern Rock Foundation have dried up, and the charity is struggling to find new backers.

Anne Pemberton, of SNAPPY, said: "Northern Rock gave us £83,330 for two years, while the National Lottery gave £94,000 for three years. It's not that they have withdrawn that money, it's just that the time has run its course.

"We have applications for money out all over the place, but it is proving very difficult trying to find it. We are urging the business community to help us."

Money is already coming in, with British Sugar pledging £1,000 to help.

City of York Council provides £28,380 a year, but other cash is needed.

A council spokesman said: "We do give a lot of support to the charity. We realise they would like more from us, but they recognise that there are other charities that need our support."

The threat to SNAPPY has been met with concern by Bill Ford, head teacher of Northfield School, in Acomb, which works with pupils with physical disabilities, speech and language impairment and other developmental difficulties.

He said: "The prospect of losing even part of the provision made by SNAPPY is very serious.

"First and foremost, SNAPPY gives our pupils the opportunity to join with others in a whole range of leisure and lifeskills activities which afford them company, fun and vital social and independence learning challenges."

SNAPPY user Michelle Ward, 21, who has been using the charity for two years, said she had had lessons on drug, alcohol and sexual awareness thanks to the charity and had also learned sign language.

"If SNAPPY closed I would just sit at home - please raise some money and please don't let it close," she said.

Anne Crouch's 22-year-old son Andrew, who had Down's Syndrome, was a regular user of SNAPPY.

He died last weekend after a long illness.

She said: "Andrew loved going there. The staff are very caring and it's been a good scheme for many a child."

The threatened projects, which could cease this weekend if money does not start to flow in, are the youth project for those aged 14 to 19, and senior SNAPPY, for 19 to 25-year-olds.

Coun Derek Smallwood, aformer Lord Mayor of York, who raised money for the charity while in office, urged the people of York to do whatever they could to help.

"It's an imperative that SNAPPY should continue," he said.

"The facilities and activities put on there are not provided by the NHS or any other organisation, and if they are not provided by SNAPPY I cannot imagine how the parents of these young people will find the respite and help they need."

He added: "It is a tremendous organisation and deserves our full support."

Donations can be sent to SNAPPY, Burton Stone Community Centre, Evelyn Crescent, York, YO3 6DR. Telephone 01904 640562.

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