Disabled And Elderly Groups Have Slammed Enfield Council For Cutting The Transport Allowance Paid To Voluntary Clubs.>

As part of the council's £12 million cuts package, the £35,000 funding for voluntary club transport will disappear at the end of March.

Andrea Williams, a small groups worker for Enfield Voluntary Service Council, believes that some groups will have to disband as a result of the cuts.

She said: "In almost all the cases that was the only funding they had. There is a possibility that some of them will have to close."

For many of the the elderly and disabled who attend the 27 clubs affected, it is the only time they get out of the house.

Ms Williams added: "If these people become more isolated, there is a strong possibility that they will be in crisis."

Mary Garner, chairwoman of the Merrion Club for the visually impaired said: "If we had to pay, it would cost us £150 per month. No way can we find that much.

"We would probably have to shut down -- and we have been going for 25 years.

"We have got members aged 90 and it's their only outing."

The Merrion Club meet fortnightly at the Rose Taylor centre in Sunny Road, Enfield, and members are entertained by singalongs round the piano, quizzes and shows.

Ms Garner added: "It's essential for the visually impaired and they're taking it away from us. It's a drastic cut."

Another club affected by the potential loss of transport is the Diomede Club for physically handicapped people.

It costs £90 to provide transport for members and the club has been forced to hold meetings monthly instead of fortnightly to save funds.

Chairman Tom Blake founded the club 30 years ago. He said: "It seems an awful shame after 30 years. It's sad that we're going to lose it."

The club has 37 members and only four of them can make their own way to meetings.

Mr Blake says they only have enough funds to keep going until the end of the year.

And he doesn't hold out hope of finding an alternative source of funding.

"It's difficult enough to raise funding now, without 20 or 30 clubs trying to get funding," he said.

A council spokesman commented: "The council are looking at whether there are other ways in which the groups affected may be assisted to find transport provision."

Edmonton pensioner Fred Hall was outraged by the cuts.

He said: "I cannot believe a Labour controlled borough would stoop so low as to attack some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

"I call on Jeff Rodin as Leader of this council to ensure that the funding for this transport continues."

Following a meeting in Edmonton on Monday, the clubs have decided to organise a petition and appeal for short-term funds to stay open when the council cash runs out next month.

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