MORE children in one of Bournemouth’s most deprived areas could end up in care if funding cuts force a charity to close its doors.

That’s the warning from campaigners who are appealing for financial help to ensure that Fernheath playground in West Howe, which was built and funded by local residents in 1976, remains open all year round.

Fernheath Play Association chairperson Paddy Williamson fears funding cuts are threatening the charity’s future.

Last month Bournemouth councillors rejected controversial proposals to cut its subsidy to the association.

But Mrs Williamson, who has been instrumental in raising more than half a million pounds in 15 years for the charity, told the Daily Echo: “We have been helped with wages by several local government directorates.

“These grants were reduced last year and next year we are told they will be reduced again by £35,000.

“This will leave us with only £32,000 next year to pay our three full-time and 10 part-time staff.”

She added: “Although all our local councillors have supported our appeals against cuts, some other people do not understand our difficulty in raising funds for wages, the crucial need for this playground in this area and the vital preventative work that we do.

“Small-scale fundraising efforts do not generate enough money to cover such costs.

“Our charity does not have the same emotive appeal as some children’s or animal charities, although many of our children are disabled or from disadvantaged, troubled and benefit-dependent families.

“If we have to close or drastically reduce our sessions not only will more than 400 members be deprived of somewhere safe to play but many children who are currently ‘at risk’ will need to be taken into care at a huge cost to the local authority.

“Children coming into care is already one of the biggest drains on the council budget.

“At Fernheath we are happy to prevent children coming into care and have been doing this for 34 years.”

* If you can help, contact Mrs Williamson on 01202 571072, association treasurer Mrs Julie Clarke on 01202 516724 or centre manager Mr John Hardwick on 01202 581008.