SUPPORTERS staged a peaceful protest against the closure of Malcolm Sargent House on Sunday - as it emerged the value of the house almost equals the black hole in the finances of the charity which owns it.

Volunteers and families started their protest at the Car Park at the Ambassador Indoor Bowling Club at 12.30pm and finishing on Prestwick Promenade. 

The aim of the peaceful protest was to show CLIC Sargent that the community were ready to come together in the face of this closure threat.
Organiser Eileen Granger, who was awarded an MBE after raising over £400,000 for the charity, said: "We really need the place to stay open for the families.

"My son was diagnosed when he was 11-years-old, It's a place where you can go and be with people who are going through the same journey as you. It's a very comforting place to be in such a difficult time." 

"Malcolm Sargent House is very dedicated to the families and would be terrible if it were to close. We arrange bereavement weeks that is vital to families through their horrific situations". 

Granger also spoke at her dismay at CLIC Sargent chiefs, she said: "Volunteer staff were told a few weeks ago that there would be renovation work . The following Monday, directors from the charity came up and proposed to close the house down.

"The CEO came up and praised the good work that goes on at Malcolm Sargent House fully knowing the plan to close down the place". 
Mrs Granger added: "CLIC Sargent is facing a £1.8 million deficit and Malcolm Sargent House is estimated at £1.75 million, so I think that’s what they are trying to do." 

"There are too many people on high wages at CLIC Sargent, such as directors and what not. They should be cutting money there instead of closing down this superb holiday home." 

CLIC Sargent chief executive Katy Lee said: “To ensure we can balance the budget in 2017/18 and replenish our reserves we need to find a total of £1.8 million in savings, effective from April 2017. We have announced this difficult proposal with a view to protecting our most essential frontline services in the face of a growing need and tough times in relation to charity fundraising.  

"Our proposal to close Malcolm Sargent House would deliver £500,000 in annual operations savings, while local agents have recently carried out a desktop valuation of the property as approximately £1.75 million."  

“The equivalent saving would be to close all 10 of our Homes from Home across the UK, which provide free accommodation for families near hospitals while their child is on treatment, discontinue all nursing provisions and reduce our young people’s service.  

We want to make sure we make the savings which have the least impact on our core frontline services, which are provided to thousands of families.” 

A petition has been set up on change.org to prevent the closure of Malcolm Sargent House has already gathered over 10,000 signatures.  

More details on the proposed closure can be found on CLIC Sargent's FAO website.