A CENTRE for children with a disabling brain condition faces a cash crisis because of a lack of sponsored fundraisers.

Fareham's Rainbow Centre for children with cerebral palsy relies heavily on community fundraising because it is not part of a national charity and helps a relatively small number of families.

The charity marked its tenth anniversary still under the threat of the closure of its premises and with a bleak outlook for its planned fund-raising activities.

A total of £120,000 to £150,000 is needed every year to keep the building open, of which the community fundraising team has to secure £75,000 for 2001.

If the trend for reduced interest in sponsored events like abseils, foreign adventure, indoor-karting, and parachuting continues from last year, then the centre forecasts a serious shortfall in funding.

So far, this year's Himilayan trek has attracted only two people, while, while last year's parachute jump attracted only five dare-devils and the abseil drew only 35 people when combined with another good cause to increase numbers.

Helen Somerset How, Rainbow Centre fundraiser and mother of Tom, who has cerebral palsy, said: "It's very worrying that we're seeing a severe fall in numbers for our community fund-raising events.

"If this continues then we could have a serious problem with funds for the year.

"We managed to reach our target last yea because we were lucky to get other sources, but we have to help ourselves. We need people to come forward and support their local charity.

"We're not part of a national charity. We only support a limited number of children, so not everyone knows a family with a child with the condition.

"Everyone knows someone with a stroke or cancer, so charities supporting those causes have a higher profile.

"Also, we don't have the continuity of hospices or other movements because we keep in contact with children for a short time until the go to school, then the families don't on-going involvement.''

The Rainbow Centre is the only centre of its kind in Hampshire and further afield. It embraces the conductive education methods pioneered by the world famous Peto Institute, in Hungary, and employs ex-staff.

Dr Mary Keany, of Shirley, Southampton, joins her son Alexander, two, at the Rainbow Centre. She said: "I can't praise the Rainbow staff high enough. Alex has come on enormously since he's been here.

"It's vitally important for the long term future of children to receive this therapy and should not be allowed to get anywhere near closing. Everyone should help support the centre.''

The centre site is part of a development land up for sale and the charity will have to move once the land is developed. A new site for a new building is available and funds are slowly being saved until a full-scale appeal is launched.

Anyone wanting join sponsored activities for the Rainbow Centre can contact staff on 01329 370279.