A CHARITY supporting some of Swale’s most vulnerable children has been thrown a temporary lifeline by a concerned local businessman.

Gerry Cassell, chairman of Kent human resources company New Appointments Group (NAG) has pledged £6,000 to keep a doomed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) project for Swale children run by national children’s charity KIDS running until June – but a more permanent solution to the project’s plight is needed if it is not to close.

The project, set up in 2002, has suffered shortfalls in funding for the past two years and project manager Robert May was recently forced to call time on its activities – before Mr Cassell stepped in with enough cash to keep things running for a little longer.

Mr May said: "No other local agencies cater specifically to the needs of Swale’s ADHD children. We have KIDS Klub meetings two nights a week where the children can play games, make friends or go out on interesting visits.

"The cost of running the project is some £25,000 annually – but our allocated funding falls some way short of that and dries up completely at the end of March.

"National statistics for ADHD put the number of sufferers from the condition at one in 20. My experience suggests it is closer to one in 10 in Swale."

The KIDS ADHD project, which is funded through the Government-backed Kent Children’s Fund, supports some 30 Swale children aged from nine to 13 and their families, as well as employing four staff.

Mr Cassell added: "Unfortunately I can’t provide the level of sponsorship needed to keep the ADHD project run by KIDS alive for very long, but I am hoping that donating this stop-gap will create the breathing space needed for longer term sustained funding to be found.

"I am just a concerned business person who can afford to put something back into the community. It seems appalling to me that sufferers of this condition are not better supported by mainstream organisations, rather than simply being viewed as 'naughty children'.

"There is a lot that can be done for them and Robert May’s group in Swale is demonstrating considerable success: the kids have great fun and are encouraged back into normal community living.

"The ADHD children and their families supported by KIDS have come to rely on their two nights of care and play a week – it would be a tragedy if all the hard work that has gone into this superb project should go to waste.

"A letter Robert received from Leanne – one of those attending Swale KIDS Klub – is typical of the feelings expressed by these children: 'I don’t want KIDS to close because I really enjoy it. I have made new friends, the staff are really nice and I enjoy what I do there.'"

For further information visit www.kids-online.org.uk. To show your support for KIDS contact Robert May on 01795 416755 or email: r.may@kids-online.org.uk.