A charity that supports people living with additional needs could be forced to shut its doors without vital funding.
Aberdeen Action on Disability has launched a desperate appeal to secure core costs to “keep the lights on”.
The charity receives regular referrals from Aberdeen City Council, the NHS and other charities and partners but little financial support.
And despite its successes, the basic costs of running the charity to support so many people are proving impossible to manage.
Charity bosses have warned the loss of their services would be a “major concern for vulnerable groups” across the city.
The charity has been running since 1992 and has been supplying “vital aid, advice and services to the physical and sensory communities of Aberdeen”.
One of its most popular projects includes helping residents apply for benefits, while their social group activities groups are also busy.
Admin officer Barcley Bisset said running costs are about £30,000 a year and cover utilities, the salary of a part-time worker, insurance and IT expenses.
He added: “This is our last resort. Unless we have some significant funds come in it is likely that we will have to close.
“This is an important service for the people of Aberdeen and it would a substantial loss.
“We have found securing funding for projects much easier to obtain, but that doesn’t pay the day-to-day bills.
“What we are in desperate need of is the funding for these everyday expenses, essentially to keep the lights on.”
Mr Bisset added: “We receive multiple referrals from the council, the social work department, the NHS and occupational therapists – we do see quite a turnover.
“We are concerned of the potential loss of this service to a vulnerable group of people in the city.”
The team at Aberdeen Action on Disability has helped with 1,385 inquiries about benefits in the last year.
In a statement issued on its crowdfunding page, the charity said: In a statement issued on its crowdfunding page, the charity said: “We really want to be able to keep offering the help and support that we’ve been offering for 27 years” but said it did not receive any funding from statutory bodies, despite taking on referrals from them.
It then makes a plea to the public, saying: “We might have to close our doors, so we are turning to you.
“We can’t offer much in return, except the knowledge that someone is fighting for those who need it.
“Please, help us keep the lights on.”
Mark McDonald, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, said: “People affected by disability need as many organisations as possible fighting their cause, so I hope that the funding to enable Aberdeen Action on Disability to continue can be found.
“I would also hope that the local authority might consider its position in terms of funding for the organisation, given that they refer cases to them.”
Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, said: “I recently visited AAD so I’m well aware of the essential work they do. I’ve contacted those in charge to offer my assistance in exploring all possible funding options.”
