A PLAY and respite centre may be forced to operate a “greatly reduced service” if it cannot redress the staff wages shortfall for the next financial year says its chairman.

Founder and chairman of Fernheath Play Association, West Howe, Paddy Williamson, said she was “relieved” Bournemouth council is to help them find just over £16,000 after its previous grant ended but added they still urgently need more funding.

Following her appeal at Bournemouth council on Tuesday, cabinet member for Education and Children’s Services, Nicola Greene said: “Work is being done on an application to the Community Action Fund for £16,100 to address the withdrawal of the former Children’s Fund. The full reinstatement of the funding solely from the council would be extremely challenging and would probably mean a reduction in our support for other services.”

The council has committed to providing Fernheath with a £35,000 grant for the next two financial years and officers will work with them to help access external funding she said.

Mrs Williamson said: “We’re delighted the council is still helping us and very grateful for that. We still need to raise quite a lot of money to pay wages for the next financial year. We have got a shortfall of 50 per cent of what we need for wages.

“We are still going to have to make some staff redundant. If that happens we can’t look after so many children, especially so many with disabilities,” she said.

Anyone who can help Fernheath either with sponsorship or legacies can contact Mrs Williamson on 01202 571072 or paddy.fernheath@btconnect.com