Recession: worst yet to come for local charities

Nov 24 2009 By Dave Himelfield

CHARITIES have been feeling the recession bite – and the worst could be yet to come.

But it isn’t all bad news – charity shops have been enjoying improved trade since the credit crunch struck last year.

Huddersfield-based charities Kirkwood Hospice, the Laura Crane Trust and the Forget Me Not Trust say they have all suffered decreased donations since 2008.

And the worst could be yet to come, as the charity sector catches up with the misfortunes of the commercial markets.

Kirkwood Hospice’s fundraising manager Garry Wilkinson said: “There’s a feeling that charities lag behind the commercial markets.

“So far we haven’t felt the full brunt and it’s a worry what next year will bring.

“Charities lag 10 to 18 months behind and that’s still to come and from our point of view we need to counteract that next year and that’s a challenge.”

But Kirkwood Hospice says the donations shortfall has been offset by the success of its 14 charity shops.

In August the hospice put out an appeal for more furniture donations as eight of its shops struggled to keep up with the demand.

Mr Wilkinson said: “The shops are doing very well, but in terms of donations we are down.

“It’s a real double-edged sword. Last year while people were supporting us with events the average donation was less.

“Overall it’s slightly down, but it’s not major – maybe 1/2% on last year.

“What people find when they come into charity shops is the quality of items is better. Charity shops are more than just glorified jumble sales these days.”

Rob Wilde, general manager of the West Yorkshire Forget Me Not Trust, said his charity’s experience was similar.