DISABLED people in Swindon will suffer because of extra cash needed by the 2012 Olympic Games.

This is what the Swindon Coalition Of Disabled People claims after being refused £90,000 of Big Lottery funding.

Sharyn O'Byrne, the coalition's deputy chairwoman, said: "We have had money from them for six years but they wrote to us this time saying they couldn't give us the money because we don't benefit the whole community.

"We represent a group of people who are one of the least represented - surely that's making a community?

"The truth is that the Big Lottery fund is paying out for the Olympics to the detriment of small community charities like us."

The Swindon Coalition of Disabled People is a volunteer-led group focusing on helping disabled people by taking on community projects.

The coalition provides a voice for disabled people in the town, offering advice and support.

One of the most recent projects was improving disabled access to Swindon doctor's surgeries, dentists, opticians and pharmacies.

But after funding was withdrawn the 10-year-old charity struggled to maintain its offices.

On August 31 the coalition was forced to close its offices at the Pembroke Centre, in Cheney Manor, and made one employee redundant.

They also cancelled the publication of their quarterly magazine, which is the group's primary source of publicity.

Mrs O'Byrne said: "We will survive this, we will still be here next year but sadly without the use of the offices."

Coalition chairwoman Val Vaughan said: "We will have to rely on fundraising events and the generosity of others to keep ourselves afloat.

"Hopefully, we can raise enough to get some office space again and re-employ an admin officer.

"It almost went unnoticed, but earlier this year marked the 10th anniversary of the coalition.

"I think it's reasonable to conclude that our 11th will prove to be our most challenging."

Sue Hassall, of The Big Lottery, said: The wide reaching appeal of Big Lottery funding has meant that applying for a grant is a competitive business and the demand for funding exceeds the amount available.

"The Reaching Communities scheme is currently awarding grants to one in five fundable projects, this means that difficult decisions have to be made.

"The Swindon Coalition Of Disabled People has been awarded three grants totalling more than £372,000. Although their application had many good qualities, on this occasion they were unsuccessful."

The coalition can be emailed at scodp@hotmail.com.