DISABLED and elderly residents across the district are praying for funds to save them from a lonely, housebound existence.

Shopmobility, a charity which brings together elderly and disabled people for shopping trips to Lancaster and Morecambe, loses its lottery funding in March.

And unless the charity can raise £15,000 it looks increasingly likely that up to 200 local people with mobility problems will face a housebound future.

Charity workers have also pointed out that if Shopmobility ceases local shops will lose their regular business.

The charity gets money from Preston Council to support those people who need it in the town but cash-strapped Lancaster City Council says it is unable to help. Chairman, Georgina Jacques, lamented: "My heart really goes out to all the people who use Shopmobility. Without it, a lot of people will simply never leave their homes. Many people have made good friends that they see regularly but once the scheme ends it will be very difficult for them to see their friends again. We have all kinds of facilities and we're very much a social organisation. We bring people together and try to give them independence. For some, it's also the only chance they have to get their weekly shopping."

She added: "We have about 1,500 people on our books around the county and we bring them to shop in Lancaster and Morecambe on separate days each week. We get support from other places but they couldn't help us here in Lancaster. It's such a shame that the people in Lancaster and Morecambe will lose out."

City Council spokesman, David Croxall, explained that the authority gave a total of £800,000 to different voluntary and community groups each year.

He added: "The council already supports many community activities. Members did not believe it appropriate to reduce funding in other areas which could impact on those much needed services, for example, meals on wheels, in order to fund another organisation."

Can you help Shopmobility? Call the Citizen with any funding ideas.

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