FEARS are growing for the future of a disability charity because its elderly volunteers are too old and frail to push wheelchairs and collect vital fundraising money.

Leonard Cheshire Disability’s Open Access celebrated its 20th birthday last month but the group’s secretary says its five volunteers, who are all in their late 70s, are struggling to cope.

Eileen Evans, front left, of Larkdown, Wantage, said its work in helping disabled people to get out to socialise was vital for those in need.

She said: “The volunteers we already have were young when they started 20 years ago, but we all grow old.

“They are carrying on but you can see that they are physically not really capable of carrying on much longer. We have just celebrated 20 years but to continue for another 20 we need help.”

And she said the lack of volunteers was hitting fundraising efforts for the charity, which needs £3,000 a year to take members on outings.

The group meets in the Red Cross Hall in Wallingford Street, Wantage, on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 10am to 1pm. To get involved call Miss Leonard on 07793 802995 or Mrs Evans 01235 763989.