AN appeal has been launched to help save a summer holiday lifeline that has helped hundreds of Middlesbrough children with special needs over more than 30 years.

Local families rely on The Newman Holiday Trust to give both parents and children a well-deserved break, but the charity is set to pull out of the area because of a funding crisis.

Group organiser Rob Nestor said: “When I think about the hundreds of children and their families we’ve helped over the years, it fills me with joy, and to think of it coming to an end breaks my heart.

“To enable next year’s holiday to go ahead, we need to raise at least £50,000. That’s an awful lot for a small charity with no paid staff and whose volunteers already give up a week of their own holiday to care for others.

The children love the holidays. They feel safe and happy and are well cared for and we get so many letters and feedback forms filled with appreciation.

“No-one else apart from their parents will quite understand the challenges of bringing up a child with special needs, let alone how difficult it must be for that child.”

Last year the holiday was held for the first time at Ampleforth College, in North Yorkshire, home to a community of Benedictine monks, as well as one of England’s leading Roman Catholic public schools.

Children who enjoyed this holiday all come from within 40 minutes of Middlesbrough.

Volunteers include teachers, nurses, doctors and physiotherapists and activities undertaken include treasure hunts, days out, archery, canoeing and games.

Anyone wanting to help or wanting more information should visit .newmantrust.org/donate