A charity that has provided help for hundreds of disabled children is in danger of closing down due to a shortage of funding, volunteers say.

The “exceedingly important” service provided by Marlow Opportunity Playgroup is the only one in South Bucks that caters for disabled children, but it is under “considerable pressure” as its funding from government is being cut.

Playgroup treasurer Paul Stamp said: “We are suffering the same fate as many charities and are eating into our reserves. We need around £200,000 a year to run, with £120,000 coming from the council and government. The other £80,000 we need to raise. We are finding it hard to make ends meet, so we need all the help we can get locally.”

Marlow Opportunity Playgroup has provided pre-school classes for disabled children under five for 45 years, and this year celebrates a decade as an independent charity.

It has been based in Wooburn Green since moving from its previous Marlow home nearly 10 years ago,

Staff say children who attend the playgroup have special and complex needs that require one to one adult support.

Mr Stamp said: “The playgroup is exceedingly important to South Bucks. We are the only playgroup in the area that caters for disabled children. If we disappear, there will be 20-30 families with no place for their children. We not only provide care for these 1-5 year olds, but we also provide rest bite for the family. It would be a huge service lost if we didn’t carry on.”

However, he is confident of the playgroup’s future, saying the group had "no intention" of shutting.

Cllr Suzanne Brown supported the playgroup with funding when she was mayor of Marlow. She said: “It would be a huge loss. It’s very important not only to Marlow but to the whole of the south east, as I think I’m right in saying it is the only one of its kind. It would be extremely difficult to replace, these children need 24/7 care and their parents need the rest bite and help.”

As part of the 'Making a Difference' initiative, Marlow Freemasons have donated £500 to purchase special equipment to develop the potential in each child at the playgroup.

The Marlow Freemasons’ Centre chairman Paul Webb said; “The therapy being done at the Playgroup is proving to be a cornerstone in developing and realising the potential for each child. We are proud to be supporting such a dedicated and successful group as each donation is vital for the survival of the Playgroup.”