Bosses at a Medway charity are appealing for the public’s help amid fears their funding might be coming to an end.

The Kent Autistic Trust (KAT) has relied on cash from the Big Lottery Fund for the past 18 years.

But staff have heard reports this could stop from next September.

The trust provides free support to families and people with autism by helping them fill out paperwork, offer practical advice and reliable information and a listening ear.

It helps 5,000 people across the county and is contacted by around 400 people for the first time each year.

It needs around £100,000 a year to operate.

Chief executive Christine Edwards-Daem said: “This vital service might be coming to an end after three decades.

“There is a real risk the phones could ring and there will be no one here to answer them.

“We have been supporting statutory services but we are a charitable arm and rely on funding.”

The trust employs support officers Jo Blamires and Emilymay Miles, who work with the families. Ms Blamires said: “Every day when I talk to, email or meet people, I’m astounded by their courage and perseverance and it’s a privilege to do this job.

“Sometimes they need a helping hand and that is what we provide.

“I’m often contacted just after diagnosis. People are often bewildered or upset by their children’s difficult or different behaviour or diagnosis they don’t understand. We help explain and provide a listening ear.”

A meeting at the offices in Brompton High Street included a short film with testimonies from some of the users.

One woman said: “I have struggled with the diagnosis. Every service you talk to sends you to KAT. All roads lead back to them.” Nicola, a mum of a son with severe autism, said: “I could not have got my son this far, this well without KAT.

“They have been absolutely instrumental in helping my son go forward.

“He has done his GCSEs and is due to go to specialist college this September.

“None of this would have happened if it had not been for Emilymay and Jo in family support.Without them, I really dread to think how my son would be.

“He now has a freedom and confidence he never had before KAT got involved without family.”

To support the trust, visit www.justgiving.com and search for KAT Family Support Service Appeal.