A NEWTON Abbot residential home is in danger of closing unless £50,000 is raised to put it back on track.

Meadowside, in Highweek Road, which is run by the charity Newton Abbot and District Mencap, caters for ten residents with learning and or physical difficulties.

Their ages range from 30-70, most of them are elderly and some have lived there for 20 years, since the day actor Brian Rix opened the building for its current use.

There are 16 staff, but social services payments have not kept pace with day to day rising running costs and as residents have become more elderly so they require more care.

Richard Holland, a volunteer at the home where he is also the residents' chiropodist, said social services had talked about increasing the payments, but that is as far as it had got.

'It is no good talking about it. Something has to be done or it will close,' said Mr Holland.

Now the charity is launching a £50,000 appeal in a last ditch bid to save the home.

The project is to convert the 700 sq ft activities room within the grounds into a two bedroom bungalow providing supportive living accommodation for two.

'This would not require extra staff but it would bring in weekly money to bridge the gap that we have.

'There is a lounge, games room and dining room in the home,' said Mr Holland.

He said local organisations had been contacted in the hope that money could be raised, while Teignbridge Council is hoping to give grant aid providing a defined project is on the table.

Five years ago the charity sold a detached bungalow in the grounds for £110,000 to keep the home going.

Recently though the kitchen had to be upgraded because it did not meet today's stringent standards. That work, carried out in September to the bare essentials, used up the remainder of the £110,000.

The home is also in need of new volunteers, a fundraiser, others to join the committee and help with the grounds and the buildings.

Any organisations or individuals who can help raise funds, etc, or any would-be volunteers, can contact Mr Holland on 01626 363243 or 01626 354834.