A CHARITY who help aid disabled people in Cirencester is closing its doors after more than 40 years.

Cirencester Scope has raised a significant amount of funding during the past four decades, raising money, and awarding grants to aid disabled people, their families and carers, within Gloucestershire and specifically those within Cirencester.

Cirencester Scope is an independent charity and not part of the disability charity Scope and has no link to their shop on Dyer Street.

Money raised by the charity have helped those with special needs in Cirencester to buy adapted bikes and tricycles, respite care, activity holidays, home adaptations and assistive technology.

Schools have benefited from financial support for outings and residential trips.

And only in January this year, a £12,000 donation was made towards new equipment at Cirencester Leisure Centre, to provide specialist changing facilities and disabled access to the swimming pool.

CareShare, now a part of Crossroads Care and PICS, Parent Information and Contact Service, were both initiated and run by Cirencester Scope for a number of years to meet a recognised need in Gloucestershire.

Cirencester Scope's legacy continues however, in the successful pre-school group, 'Sunbeams', for young children with special needs and their families, and Gloucester Lifestyles, both of which began their journeys under the umbrella of Cirencester Scope.

'Sunbeams' continues to welcome families at Seven Springs.

A spokesperson for Cirencester Scope said: "We are proud of what a small dedicated group of individuals (past and present) has achieved during its 40 years of service to the local community and in doing so helped to raise awareness of people with additional needs in our communities, both locally and nationally.

"We hope that you will continue to support Sunbeams, Gloucestershire Lifestyles and National Scope in London.

"Things have come a long way since we were known as the “Spastics Society”.

"We thank you for your help in our quest for all disabled persons' freedom to choose, to increase their independence and to find inclusion.