Sadness over closure of 'lifeline for disabled people'

THE closure of a Leatherhead charity that has helped support disabled people for more than 90 years has been called 'heartbreaking' by the area's MP.

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HM The Queen Mother, then HRH The Duchess of York, opening QEF's original employment training college on June 27, 1935

The Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People (QEF) announced last week that, with “immense regret” it had commenced a wind-down programme.

The charity said the process is expected to take 28 days to allow time for alternative placements to be found for residential clients at its Care and Rehabilitation Centre, and to honour commitments to other clients “to the best extent possible”.

At the end of this period, QEF intends to file for administration.

A statement on the charity's website said: "We have worked tirelessly over the last year to try and save the charity, exploring numerous options to improve its finances, but unfortunately there wasn't a viable solution that met all the necessary requirements to overcome the challenging financial situation QEF faced.