A LIFELINE service that has supported disabled people for more than 30 years is to close its doors.

Inverclyde Council on Disability (ICOD) will close next month due to a cash crisis.

The decision comes after the charity lost key funding.

John Donnachie, chair of ICOD, said: “Inverclyde Council on Disability has been an important part of the support structure for people with disabilities in Inverclyde for 30 years. 

“It was a difficult decision by the board to cease providing services, but we wanted to take prompt action in the best interests of our service users and employees.”

The organisation has struggled to find alternative funding to replace money from Big Lottery Fund, which recently came to an end.

Inverclyde Council and the local health and social care partnership have continued to provide funding for the group but the core support came from the lottery.

Councillor Jim MacLeod, who served as an ICOD committee/board member for 24 years, said: “I am absolutely gutted about this.

“It’s a sad day for a lot of disabled people in the community.

“I joined in 1991 and it was with a heavy heart that I stood down in 2014 due to health and council commitments.

“My wife Sylvia was also on the committee for 15 years.

“I was shocked when I heard the news – ICOD has helped many disabled people over the years and a lot of their families and carers too.

“The organisation has given a lot of people support, or pointed them in the right direction and acted as a signpost to other services.”

Councillor MacLeod says he hopes other organisations will help to continue ICOD’s good work.

He added: “The most visible part of the organisation is the shop mobility service – that is a lifeline for so many people.

It helped to generate money for local shops and businesses and gives a lot of disabled people the ability to go out and do their shopping.

“I am hoping that some organisation will take that particular part of that organisation on and it will continue in some shape or form.”

He added: “We can’t forget that people have jobs in the organisation and I hope that staff and volunteers find other employment.”

ICOD is planning to organise a small farewell event to recognise the organisation’s 30 years of delivering for local people and give staff and customers a chance to say goodbye.