ONCE again we have been let down by Bury Council.

Four years ago, when Bury first approached Hurdles to work in partnership, we were promised that the new Re:d Centre in Morley Street, Bury, would have a four-bedded respite unit for children with disabilities. Due to lack of funds this still hasn't happened.

Now they want to cut a further £200,000 from the budget, which will leave families in even greater need.

As a parent of a teenager with a severe disability I was shocked by news of the cuts. I have been involved with Hurdles for nine years and I remember a time when Bury Social Services wanted to work in partnership with parents. Hurdles gave up their building so the Re:d Centre could be built but it seems now that it is up and running and the council have overspent, they want to take it away. Well, I am sorry, it doesnt work like that. You can't!

This is the only place my son can go after school, where he can mix with his peers and be safe. It is also a break for me and my other two children. He can not play out or go anywhere without an adult being present so, although he gets only two hours a fortnight at the youth club, it is valuable time when he can enjoy some independence.

The council talk about cutting 'care packages'. I would like to know what these are. I have supported parents of children and young adults for eight years with Hurdles and I dont know of any families that are getting too much 'care'. The council and government should be investing more money into the Re:d Centre not reducing it.

If this proposal goes ahead there will be a lot of families who will reach crisis point. And then they wont be dealing with the small care packages that parents get now, but great big ones!

JULIE COWGILL,

(Concerned parent).