HUNDREDS of parents and carers of disabled children in East Hampshire are celebrating as a lifeline service is saved.

The Short Breaks programme, which gives young people with disabilities and their families much-needed respite care, has been under threat.

But the axe has been lifted for 2016/17 after a huge campaign was mounted by the Hampshire Parent Carer Network (HPCN) charity.

Representatives there are delighted that Hampshire County Council (HCC) has listened to the collective voice of its 500 members, and the 1,500 people who responded to a survey with their strong concerns.

Parents and carers made it clear that cutting Short Breaks funding – which benefits, among other local organisations, the Young Carers project at the King’s Arms in Petersfield – would destroy the lives of many families across the region. And the network spent months working alongside Parent Voice, other short break providers and HCC to explore the impact of the cuts.

Sumi Olsen, of Liphook, was one parent who felt the anxiety of services being taken away just as her son Freddie (7), who has cognitive and verbal disabilities as well as epilepsy, and whole family were starting to reap the benefits.

Through Short Breaks, Freddie enjoys subsidised one to one swimming at Mill Chase Leisure Centre which really helps with his confidence and other skills. He has also had the benefit of a ‘buddy’ on trips out. “It would be very distressing for him and us if those services weren’t there,” said Sumi.

Said Gail Bedding of HPCN:?“Short Breaks are vital for our families. I am delighted we can continue to help shape the service.”