A CLUB which has forged friendships between disabled and able-bodied children in York for more than a quarter of a century faces an uncertain future.

Members of York Junior Physically Handicapped and Able-Bodied Club (Phab) are concerned about how it will survive the impact of increased charges proposed by the City of York Council.

Club leader Elaine Sellwood said the club had enjoyed free use of the facilities at Yearsley Bridge Centre until now. But the council now wants to charge the charity £40.50 a week to cover the cost of out-of-hours caretaker time and £10 for a monthly swimming lesson.

Both will impact heavily on the charity's finances. Elaine, who has been involved with the Junior Phab Club for more than 19 years, said: "We are a self-funding charity run by volunteers - £40 a week to use the centre and an extra £10 to use the swimming pool is really pushing what we can do.

"That will have a considerable impact on our funding. We charge the children 50p for them to come along. We play games and go out trips. We raise enough to be able to do that and get by.

"We have been providing this club for at least 25 years in York. It started as a Saturday Adventure Club, then affiliated to Phab. My daughter is 19 in June and I have been with Phab since before she arrived on the scene. She has been involved with it all her life."

She added: "We don't want to charge children more because some come from disadvantaged backgrounds. We provide two-and-a-half hours on a Saturday afternoon for 50p which gives them independence somewhere where they can come and be safe.

"It is a shame the council feels that in their cut-backs that facilities like this have to go. We provide something valuable to these children and their families."

Labour Parliamentary candidate for York Hugh Bayley met Phab members and chairman Charlotte Milligan on Saturday to discuss their plight.

Between 12 and 20 disabled and able-bodied children from the club meet on most Saturdays.

Mr Bayley said: "York Junior Phab Club is the last remaining club of its kind in the north of England. The volunteers provide a wonderful service which lets severely disabled and disabled children mix with able-bodied children.

"York Junior Phab Club is thriving and I would hate to see extra charges force it to close. I have written to City of York Council to see if they can reconsider the increases for a small charity which is providing an excellent service to young people in York."

York council leader Steve Galloway said the proposed charges were not part of the council's budget proposals.

He said: "We have just received a letter from the club about this. We are looking into the issue and we will be responding to the club. Generally speaking the policy of the council is to try and encourage volunteer groups of this sort."

Updated: 10:22 Monday, April 18, 2005