We, the parents, carers and friends of disabled children, request that Surrey County Council does not make any financial cuts to our local charity, Disability Challengers.

Disability Challengers is a 'life-line,' to many of our children and families.  It provides many of us with unique benefits:

1  It is the only source of play and leisure facilities that  many of our children have.  'Every Disabled Child Has a Right to Play.'  Without Disability Challengers, our children would be bored, frustrated, depressed and isolated.

2  It is one of the few (for many families, ONLY) means of respite that our families receive.  These 'short breaks,' are the means  by which families can have a degree of 'normality.'  They are the precious moments that we spend on typical family activities; the quality time that we spend with our other children.  Short breaks keep families functioning and together.  They provide parent carers with a rest so that they can continue with their caring role.

3  For some parents, Disability Challengers is the ONLY form of childcare in the school holidays.  It is, therefore, the only way that they can work.

Disability Challengers is dependent on funding from Surrey County Council in addition to their own fund-raising.  This funding from the Council must continue, so that the needs of the 1200 families who use the charity, continue to be met.

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