A GROUP which provides vital sporting opportunities for blind and partially sighted children is facing closure because of a cash crisis.

The Gwent Actionnaires Group based in Cwmbran is under threat of closure after national charity Action for Blind People announced its pulling its funding at the end of March.

The club, which meets every other Saturday at Cwmbran Stadium, was the first club of its kind in Wales, but now it and a club in Neath Port Talbot could face closure unless it can find future funding.

The free service is used by 29 families from all over Gwent.

Each session usually attracts 12 to 14 children between the ages of four to 16.

Nicola Brann, 40, has two children who attend the group. Rhys Jones, 9, who is partially sighted and his younger brother, Ryan aged 7, who attends to support Rhys.

She said: "It would be awful if it were to close. The children get to participate in things and it builds confidence.

"The boys loved skiing and it's nice for parents to mix too."

Diane Clough, of Portskewett, takes her six-year-old son Freddie, who is registered blind, to the club.

"The club has been a lifesaver," she said.

"If the club was to shut it would be horrendous."

Sports Development Officer for Action for Blind People, Nicky Malson, said: "The group is about making the children feel safe and building confidence so that they can take part in activities they otherwise wouldn't have been able too.

Mr Malson added: "I predict that £15,000 a year would support the two Welsh clubs, but the bigger the budget the better the programme will be for the children.

"I'm desperate to make sure these children don't lose this opportunity to participate in sports."

The work they do allows blind and partially sighted children of school age to participate in sports such as skiing, trampolining, martial arts and swimming, in a safe, structured and fun environment.

Torfaen AM, Lynne Neagle, has lent her support to the campaign and she plans to meet with the officials from RNIB and Action for Blind People and has written to the Assembly Government to investigate possible sources of funding that would allow the clubs to continue.

Colin Whitbourn of Action for Blind People said: "Action for Blind People deeply regrets that due to a lack of funding, we will not be able to continue the running of Gwent and Neath/Port Talbot Actionnaires clubs beyond March 31 without additional, outside financial support.

"We are deeply saddened by the prospect of closing these clubs and are working very hard to find alternative funders and sponsors to ensure this type of service continues."

For more information call Nicky Malson on 07894 598860 or email nicky.malson@actionforblindpeople.org.uk or to see the petition, which now has 900 signatures, visit petitionbuzz.com/petitions/actionnaireswales