A SPECIALIST pre-school facing an uncertain future due to funding cuts has been handed a lifeline in the form of a three-year grant.

The Dorchester Opportunity Group, a charity which provides care for children with additional needs in west Dorset, lost £40,000 of its annual funding as its Big Lottery grant came to an end.

Since January, the charity, which requires over £100,000 annually, has been actively fundraising to raise the difference in order to keep the centre open.

The group has now secured a Children in Need grant which will provide £10,000 over the next three years – pushing the fundraising over the half-way mark. The plight of the group has attracted support from the community including a supper auction which raised £2,500.

Masterchef winner-turned chef and restaurateur Mat Follas and business partner Katy Barnard joined forces with auctioneer Bradley Towell, of Symonds and Sampson, to organise a four-course meal and fundraising auction at the Bramble Café and Deli in Poundbury Mr Follas said: “This is such a great charity and I’m very happy we could help. I really hope it survives as it very respected in the community and does a wonderful job.”

Whilst guests tucked into a generous spread supplied by local suppliers including the Brace of Butchers, The Dorset Wine Company and Samways Fish Merchants, they bid on a selection of lost for the charity.

Lots included a flight up and down the Jurassic Coast donated by BSK Services, along with other exciting Dorset-based experiences donated by Bestival, Spotify, The Duchy, House of Dorchester, Moonfleet Manor Hotel, and the Dorset Golf and Country Club.

Manager at The Dorchester Opportunity Group Nyree Gibbs said: “It was a great evening. Everyone had a good time with lovely food, a fantastic atmosphere, and all the lots sold. We’re extremely grateful to everyone who supported us.”

The money raised brings the fundraising total to £12,000, added to the £10,000 from Children In Need, the group now need to raise a further a further £18,000 keep the centre open past November.

The centre, on Maiden Castle Road, provides one-to-one care to preschool children with additional needs and disabilities including Down’s syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy.

Top paediatrician at Dorchester County Hospital Dr Wei Liang Yap said: “It would be a significant loss if these children were no longer able to access this service.

“Not only does The Dorchester Opportunity Group benefit them in stimulating their development, but it also gives invaluable support to parents and carers. There is no equivalent locally.”