Chief's plea as charity closes doors
Published 12 Aug 2012 09:00
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THE HEAD of an organisation dedicated to supporting Berkshire's charities is urging people to dig deeper after a cash-strapped Twyford-based charity was forced to close down.
Global Hearts for Children - which changed its name from Feed the Children in April at ceremony attended by Home Secretary Theresa May - went into liquidation last week blaming a 45% drop in donations over two years.
Now the chief executive of the Berkshire Community Foundation, Andrew Middleton, is warning many of the county's charities also face an uncertain future because of the lack of funding.
He said: "This is sadly becoming something we are seeing more and more and I don't think it will be the last charity we will see in Berkshire closing.
"Really good Berkshire groups are finding it more difficult to raise funds.
"With reduced statutory funding, low returns on invested funds, greater competition for remaining donations and the general economic climate, times are exceeding tough for local voluntary groups.
He added: "I would ask Chronicle readers to please do think about supporting their local voluntary groups and charities."
Global Hearts for Children, formerly Feed the Children, was established in 1994 to sent aid packages of food, clothes and toiletries by the lorryload to countries in long term need or those hit by famine or disaster. It had six full time members of staff and sent its last container on Tuesday, July 31.
Chief executive Brian Main said: "The amount of fundraising has nearly halved in two years, but we recognise that fundraising is getting harder because people have less disposable income.
"I'm sad and disappointed for the people who work and volunteer here, and the people we have helped overseas to turn their lives around and become self-sufficient. I'm sorry we have let them down."
Next month's Samuel Hood Memorial 7K Walk/10K Peppard Fun Run, in aid of the charity, has also been cancelled.
To find out more about the work of Berkshire Community Foundation, visit www.berkshirecommunityfoundation.org.uk
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