A cancer patient support charity is to close because of funding cuts from Caerphilly County Borough Council and the Aneurin Bevan Health Board.
Blackwood-based Cancercareline, which has been offering support to cancer patients and their families for more than 30 years, will cease its services by the end of December.
The charity has annual running costs of around £72,000, met by the council and the health board.
However, for this year the charity was offered funding of £20,000 and £17,000 for next year – leaving it short by tens of thousands of pounds.
Blackwood councillor Nigel Dix said: “It is only a few years ago that we intervened to save the charity form closure. I did not think that we would be back here again arguing to save it.
“If the service is allowed to close the people of Caerphilly and Blackwood will be the poorer.
“Cancer affects so many people, and can be both physically and emotionally devastating for suffers and their families. Cancercareline has helped provide people with the support needed to deal with and come to terms with this illness.
“I am asking that Caerphilly Council and Aneurin Bevan Health Board act to save this vital charity by providing an income of £72,000 a year, this is a small price to pay for the commitment, time and expertise that Cancercareline provides for the residents of Caerphilly.”
In statement posted on its website, the charity said: “Communities across Caerphilly – individuals, businesses, clubs and organisations – have, for over 30 years, been very generous in making donations to the charity.
“A hundred percent of the donations received are allocated to our support service provision. Services such as counselling, complementary therapy and support groups.”
It added: “This is a very sad time for everyone who has supported Cancercareline, but it seems that supporting people living in the borough who are affected by cancer has moved down the list of importance in the funding priorities of councillors and executives of Caerphilly Borough Council and Aneurin Bevan Health Board.
“With our grateful thanks to everyone who has supported this charity over the years.”
A spokeswoman for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) said: “We are very sorry that Cancercareline have decided to take the action of closure.
“The health board has worked very closely with the charity over the past three years to work to find a solution to their funding issues. We have always had an ongoing funding commitment with the charity as we value the service they provide to many of our patients.
“We had no plans to change this financial commitment and had hoped with our support the charity would find the additional funding it required, however it seems this has not been possible.”
A spokesman for Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “We have reduced our annual funding contributions over recent years due to significant budget pressures, but this has been done in full consultation with the trustees.
“The council has only recently been informed that the Trustees wish to take steps to wind up the charity, so we will now work with Cancercareline and ABUHB to explore options. A meeting will take place to discuss the matter further.”