A new charity with a mission of helping the families of the challenged has ceased operation following a decline in interest and member participation.

C.O.W. Assistance for Families of the Challenged, which was set up by Canadian Marni Williams-Oram in the spring of 2001 and was registered as a non-profit charity in December 2001, has been struggling with support of late.

Ms Williams-Oram organised and received funds to send four Bermuda families of challenged children to a specially designed camp programme in Canada during the summer of 2001. It was a great success and led to the registering of C.O.W. as a non-profit charity.

"During the past year we set up an executive committee and had planned on another camp programme for 2002 but funding, member participation and general interest in Bermuda was on a decline," said the charity's founder.

"The executive members attended many meetings and sent out questionnaires to the general membership and with no replies received we decided it was time to close the doors."

As a result the funds raised by the charity in the past year have been distributed to five local charities "to the best interest of our members and their needs".

Recently Ms Williams-Oram presented the cheques, $6,000 in total, at WindReach Recreational Village. WindReach received $1,000, with $250 going to the sensory room, $250 to the riding arena roof and $500 for the completion of the cabins in the camping area.

The Bermuda Riding for the Disabled received $1,000 for its operation costs, with a similar amount going to the Committee of 25 for supporting equipment and treatment of a challenged child, and $1,000 also going to the Ladies Cubitt Compassionate Association for the same purpose. The Bermuda Autism support and Education Society received $2,000 for their continued education of special needs workers, therapists and caregivers of challenged children.

"With this donation the (C.O.W.) members will know that their hard work was not in vain and we have accomplished some positive results in the C.O.W. organisation," said the charity's founder.

Ms. Williams-Oram, who cares for a challenged child, has vowed continue to work as an advocate in making Bermuda `challenged friendly.