Rainbow Rogues, based in Ellon, has warned they are just weeks away from closure. 

A children’s charity in Aberdeenshire has warned it may be forced to close its doors if funding is not urgently secured. 

North-East charity Rainbow Rogues says it has positively impacted the lives of vulnerable children and their families right across Aberdeen City and Shire since 2005, but is now just  weeks away from closing its doors to families reliant on its vital services.

The Ellon-based group is operational across Aberdeen and the Shire, supporting pre-school children with disabilities and Additional Support Needs, together with their wider families. 

Specialist-inclusive sessions for children run three days per week and offer a safe play environment whilst providing essential respite for parents, carers and siblings of children with complex needs.

Those involved with Rainbow Rogues are now pleading with members of the public to show them support to keep the charity afloat. 

Keri Craig, the charity manager said: “We are reaching out to the communities across Aberdeen City and Shire to help us keep Rainbow Rogues open.

“Covid-19 triggered many challenges for Rainbow Rogues but also highlighted the need for the services and support we provide for some of the most vulnerable families in our communities.

“Rainbow Rogues acts as a vital link between families and educational, social, and health agencies, and we help our families navigate difficult funding, training and support landscapes. “The families that use our services trust us, enabling our team to help them make informed decisions and tackle the challenges they face. 

“Amid the cost-of-living crisis, it is difficult to ask for money, but we're asking you to please help us keep Rainbow Rogues open for those who need us.”

The Rainbow Rogues team also offers professional knowledge and lived experiences in supporting families. 

The team works across educational, social, and health agencies playing an essential role in children's pre-nursery and primary school transition phases, helping their families identify the most appropriate learning settings. 

Rainbow Rogues' family support worker, Kim Stewart, added: “We have real concerns for the families we work with should the respite we provide stop - and the multiple channels of support we provide are no longer available to them.

“The mental health impact is a considerable worry.

“The charity does not receive any government or council funding. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so here.”