AN emotional party was today set to give York people with learning difficulties the chance to say goodbye as they prepared for their "lifeline" to close.

As a last minute appeal for cash gathers weight, the members of Special Needs Activities and Play Provision York (SNAPPY) will say their farewells, unsure if the charity will re-open.

Anne Pemberton, SNAPPY's project development manager, said: "Hopefully, it will be au revoir rather than goodbye, but I don't want to tell them SNAPPY will continue, and then have to let them go again in a few weeks.

"I don't want to go through all this again. If we tell them that SNAPPY will remain, I want it to be secure for the long-term."

The closure of two SNAPPY projects this weekend comes as cash begins to flow in from the people of York, eager to save the service which teaches young people vital life skills and lets them meet friends. Cash grants from the Northern Rock Foundation and the National Lottery have dried up, and the charity has struggled to find new backers. It means closure for the youth project, for those aged 14 to 19, and the senior project, for 19 to 25-year-olds. But since members made a heartfelt plea, York's generous people have started an attempt to save them.

British Sugar donated £1,000, followed by £500 given by the staff of Woolworths in Coney Street. Individuals have begun to offer as much as they can afford.