The immediate closure of national programme StarJam, which provides dance, music and performance workshops to young disabled people, was announced last Tuesday.
Dunedin volunteer Kim Barnes said all workshops had been cancelled and the highly anticipated end-of-year concert would be scrapped.
However, local volunteers were determined to give participants - known as Jammers - a worthy send-off and planning was under way for a celebration of their own.
"We’re just pulling together and we’re going to put on the show," she said.
About 50 young people had attended weekly StarJam workshops, held in four locations across Dunedin and Mosgiel.
The rapid closure meant volunteers were unable to access the database which held Jammers’ contact details, so Mrs Barnes urged anyone who was involved in the programme to get in touch with her to receive the details of the event.
"The relationships that are born out of these workshops and the fun [these] guys have, these are friends for life.
"To have just cut them off like that was possibly the cruellest way they could have done it."
Piper Nicol-Cromarty, of Mosgiel, had enjoyed the workshops and was sad they had ended so suddenly.
"We didn’t even get a goodbye," she said.
Tom Dreyer, of Dunedin, was looking forward to the concert where he could show off his comedy skills.
"I can’t wait to make everyone laugh because my family loves to see that happening."
Mrs Barnes welcomed donations from businesses willing to offer support - a venue had already been donated.
She can be contacted at saveourstarjam@gmail.com.
