A PIONEERING £40million programme offering crucial help and advice to families who need it the most will run out of cash in five years.

Now bosses at A Better Start Southend, are launching a fresh attempt to secure new funding to keep the scheme alive.

The award-winning scheme, which launched with National Lottery cash in 2015, helps families with children from birth to aged four, offering a package of projects ranging from emotional wellbeing courses for new mothers and breastfeeding support.

The driving force behind the much-cherished scheme have now begun to appeal for future funding to help more generations of families with support in the early years of the lives of children.

Chairman Alex Khaldi, speaking at a meeting of Southend Council’s health and wellbeing board, said: “The money is due to expire in 2025.

“It will go down immediately to zero.

“We need to work out quickly how the activities can be continued into the future, whatever that may mean.

“We know that leaving it until 2024 will be too late and the process needs to start now.”

He went on to explain how new types of funding need to be considered and highlighted how a similar service in Luton known as Flying Start has been funded through Luton Airport.

At the meeting, Southend Council’s chief executive Alison Griffin expressed her support for the continuation of the service, telling Mr Khaldi that there is “a lot of emotional attachment to A Better Start Southend and to what we’ve achieved”.

Mr Khaldi added: “Whilst 2025 might seem like a long time away, I have been pleased at how keen all of our partners, including Southend’s Health and Wellbeing Board have been to look at how we can create a lasting legacy for children and families in our town.

“Our aim is to have an impact for generations to come.”

A Better Start Southend’s director, Jeff Banks, said: “The partners are focussed not only on how we can create the very best opportunities for zero to four-year-old children and their families in Southend now, but on how as organisations we can ensure there is a legacy which lasts long after 2025.

“Work towards the long-term legacy of A Better Start Southend is ongoing and we will continue to work with partners, families and the wider community.”