A CRAVEN charity is looking for the public's help to help it cope with the ever-increasing demand for its services.

Skipton and Craven Disability for Action was set up 33 years ago to help people with disabilities and assist their integration into society.

But it has been forced to put a hold on any new members until it has expanded its operation - and, to make that happen, it is asking the public to donate £3 a month.

The charity's core operation is Dial-A-Ride, which collects members from their homes and takes them to places such as medical appointments, dentists, chiropodists, hairdressers, supermarkets, local care homes, nursing homes, hospices or even just to visit family and friends.

The charity also takes disabled children and children with special needs to and from the special schools in the area and organises day trips out to a variety of places such as Morecambe, Southport, Whitby, the Lakes, stately homes, parks, museums and pub lunches.

It has seven minibuses.

Chief executive Roy Aldread said: "The charity prides itself for the work it does in the area of Craven, and continues to do so, for people who would otherwise have great difficulty getting out and about, especially those that are wheelchair bound and live out in some of the isolated villages."

But he added, due to the demise of the Little Red Bus and Pennine Bus Services, demand for SCAD’s services has increased 10-fold and the charity had had no choice but to put on hold any further applications for membership.

Mr Aldread said: "We currently have a waiting list of over 60 people needing to use our services but we don’t have enough resources to cater for it.

"The situation has become very difficult and the charity desperately needs to relocate its facilities and restructure to enable it to expand and deal with the ever increasing demand on its services.

"The charity does not enjoy any core funding from any of the local authorities and is totally reliant on donations and support from the community.

"We would ask if the people in Skipton and Craven would donate just £3 per month to support this Skipton charity to enable it to continue to deal with the ever increasing demand on its services and provide a stable platform for continuation for many years to come."

To pledge support, contact the office on 01756 701005.