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An anonymous fundraiser has been launched to try and secure the future of Autism Guernsey after the charity was told it won't be getting any money from Children in Need this year.
The service confirmed yesterday that it will close in December after the BBC's charity rejected its application for the continuation of its current funding.
Previously, grants received from Children in Need funded the local charity's vital work in the island - which supports hundreds of people at the very least.
Pictured: Three charities receive Children in Need funding in Guernsey, with Autism Guernsey previously receiving £100,000.
Autism Guernsey receives no States funding so is entirely reliant on charitable donations meaning the loss of the Children in Need grant has had a devastating effect, said Services Manager Julia Watts.
She has described her "close working relationship with Children in Need" as the demand for local services has grown over the past decade.
"There has always been the ongoing pressure of how we can sustain what we currently provide for children and their families and carers," she said.
"Failure to secure this annual grant will have a huge negative impact on the charity and our ability to continue helping those who currently rely upon us."
David Harry was recently appointed Chairman of Autism Guernsey.
He said since the charity's inception there has never been any States funding and the charity has relied totally on third sector grants, fund raising events, and donations.
This enables the staff and volunteers to manage around 1,000 contacts a year. The charity also supports 131 children currently along with around 260 parents and carers.
"Although we are incredibly gratetful for the support that we have received, the problem with the way Autism Guernsey is funded means that the services are simply not sustainable as we rely entirely on third sector support," explained Mr Harry.
The charity said one parent whose child is supported by Autism Guernsey felt that the charity "stepped up" when she felt "let down by States Departments">
She is deeply upset by the news of the potential closure of the service.
"The charity has always been there for us, from one to one support for myself as a mum and for my autistic son.
"The invaluable courses they put on helped me leam to navigate the overwhelming world of being a mum to an autistic child and my son has attended the 'Amazing Club' for a number of years. It was a safe space for children like him and did wonders for his mental health.
"It was, and still is, the only place where he can socialise happily. I haven't told him the news yet but I know he will take it very badly."
Pictured: Some of Autism Guernsey's services are listed, with the caveat that the charity can't help everyone.
The charity says its currently provides social clubs for different age groups including artwork with an art worker, one to one outreach, a sensory group supported by Autism Guernsey's Occupational Therapist, National Autistic Society accredited programmes for parents, a Better Sleep programme and popular Summer and Christmas activities as well as the Amazing Club referenced by the parent above.
Autism Guernsey always warned that it could not "meet the needs of everyone in Guernsey with autism", but now the charity is "devastated" about the impending impact of withdrawing the services it does offer and the lack of support that will be available to the people it has previously helped.
"A significant impact of withdrawing these services will be the personal effect it will have on autistic children remaining in isolation, as they will lose social connections resulting in poor mental health and wellbeing," said the charity.
In response to the news that the charity will close this December, people have called for local fundraising efforts to support its work to enable it to stay open.
This has included the creation of a JustGiving page registered to A G which says it is raising money for Autism Guernsey.
Within less than a day it had already seen £400 pledged.
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