A CHILDREN’S special needs nursery in Salisbury is under threat as it battles funding cuts.

The John McNeill Opportunity Centre had £13,000 cut from its funding by Wiltshire Council in 2010/11, forcing it to cut staff and find £20,000 a year just to break even. Now staff at the centre in Odstock Road have been told another £10,000 will be cut.

The centre helps children under five with varying levels of disability, and has 30 members of staff, most of who are part-time.

Manager Angela Bryant said they already have to raise between £40-50,000 a year to support the 60 children they care for and they have a waiting list of 15.

“These are children with conditions like cerebral palsy and Down’s syndrome, they don’t manage well in mainstream settings,” she said.

“It’s always the most vulnerable people that are affected. And how do you choose?

“How do you say we will take your child but not yours? It’s a very difficult thing and a very emotive situation to be in.”

Mrs Bryant said she gets calls every day from new families who have just moved to the area, or whose child cannot get the help he or she needs from a mainstream setting.

“There are lots of things we do that aren’t available at mainstream nurseries. It’s like trying to fit square pegs in round holes.

“The children would get supported and looked after but their level of need is not met.”

Mrs Bryant said parents’ fundraising efforts have been fantastic but finding even more money will be difficult.

The funding cut is due to central government withdrawing the Aiming High for Disabled Children grant, which Wiltshire Council passed on to the centre and other similar organisations in Wiltshire.

A council spokesman said: “We work closely with the John McNeill Opportunity Centre and three other similar groups in Wiltshire. Each of these centres are run by small local charities who provide support for young disabled children and their families.

“The council has recently committed to continue to provide support and funding to each of these groups, recognising their value and close links to local communities and their efforts in active fundraising.

“We hope more people in the community will be inspired to offer their support to such a worthy charity.”

Anyone who wants to support the centre can get in touch by calling 01722 413263.

To donate go to justgiving.com/thejmoc.

l The centre is launching a £1 a day challenge, asking people to pledge to raise £1 a day between March 1 and May 31 and are hoping that as many people as possible will sign up to help the centre raise vital funds.

To sign up, contact the centre through its Facebook or Twitter accounts or email fundraising@johnmcneilloppcentre.org.uk.