Parents trying to save their unique Saturday ‘family’ club for children with special needs may have a glimmer of hope after taking a petition to the Town Hall and pleading with the Mayor.

The Toyhouse charity’s Family Play project set up 10 years ago at Limehouse has just a few weeks to go before its current �32,000 funding runs out.

“It is the only service in Tower Hamlets that makes a feature of being for the whole family,” states the petition. “We urge the council to reconsider cutting this incredibly-popular provision meeting the needs of up to 50 family members each Saturday.

“The families will have nowhere else to go to enjoy themselves safely as a family.”

Two mums gave impassioned pleas at last night’s council meeting not to cut the project.

“How do you explain to an autistic child that he can’t go to his Saturday class?” one asked.

Cabinet member Olliur Rahman responded telling them the council had to ensure “value for money—the cost is high compared to similar services.”

But the project runs on Saturdays, when there are no other services, Toyhouse Association manager Pip Pinhorn pointed out.

The mayor then ordered a review. The petition would be sent on to the Head of Children’s Services.

So there was hope. But time is running out—like its funding. It is due to shut on May 28.