Charity get lifeline after flood of donations

Last month the Sussex Autistic Society was forced to suspend its family centres and respite care services because of a severe funding shortage. It helps more than 500 families providing weekend and holiday play schemes and respite care.

Following a high-profile campaign by parents and staff the charity has received more than 30,000 which will keep it running for another six months.

The society's financial director John Hayter said: "The picture is looking a lot brighter but we are by no means out of the woods yet because money is never fully available in the voluntary sector.

"Enough money has come through from the appeal and a lot of that comes with Gift Aid which we can collect at the start of the next financial year.

"We are running our services as normally as possible although we have yet to reopen our family centre in Eastbourne because we need to recruit a new member of staff.

"The feedback from parents and members of the public has been great and we have had a lot of letters of support. While we were confident that our services were being correctly targeted it's always nice to have that reinforced by others and we are very grateful to all the local newspapers who have also been very supportive."