A charity once threatened with closure has found enough cash to carry on its work with Oxford's disabled children.

Parasol Project worker Ali Hall plays with nine-year-old Yoran

The Parasol Project, which provides five different art and performing art groups for 180 children with a range of learning disabilities, had looked set to fold because of a funding shortage.

Parasol's National Lottery grant of £80,000 per year for the last six years ended at the end of last year.

But grants from the Children's Fund and Better Play, a partnership between Barnado's and the Children's Play Council, which distributes funding from the National Lottery New Opportunities Fund, have now safeguarded the project's future.

Parasol co-ordinator Angela Taylor is hoping to team up with other play- schemes.

She was also pleased that Parasol, which is based in Maltfield Road, Northway, held its first Christmas holiday sessions in 2003.

Mrs Taylor said: "We have got £28,000 over three years from The Children's Fund and £25,000 from Better Play.

"We also get about £10,000 each year from Oxfordshire County Council and a grant from Oxford City Council.

"Last year, the city council gave us £8,000, and we are waiting to find out how much we will get this year."

Mrs Taylor is appealing for city playschemes to link with Parasol.

She said: "We already work with some playschemes, particularly during the summer.

"We can provide staff support which enables those schemes to take disabled children."

Leaders interested in offering more places to children with learning difficulties can call 01865 742816.