Recession: worst yet to come for local charities

Nov 24 2009 By Dave Himelfield

Mr Wilde said: “In terms of fundraising we are behind budget because, like a lot of other places, we have been hit by the recession and people are not giving quite as much. We’ve got some strong support but we’re still in real need of help, particularly on the corporate side.

“The retail side is doing very well and we have shops in Holmfirth and Halifax about to open. The shops are well supported in the community and people do seem to be buying more from them at the moment.

“We are very pleased with the retail side, although donations have slowed a bit and I would put out a plea to people for new stock.”

Jacquie Roeder, founder of teenage cancer charity Laura Crane Trust, says her organisation has been feeling the pinch.

Even principal events such as the trust’s autumn ball at Bradford Cedar Court have suffered.

This year’s event made about £12,000 – one-third of the 2007 ball’s takings.

Mrs Roeder said: “We don’t find we are getting as much from collection boxes.

“But with the (Government) Give As You Earn scheme we have done amazingly well and that’s not slowed down.

“The ball didn’t do nearly as well. It was a lovely evening, but people weren’t spending.

“We’re definitely feeling the bite in certain areas, but we are doing OK.

“We’re a national charity so we get support from all over the country. As long as we belt out our profile hopefully we will keep our heads up. But we certainly need to work harder.”

The Huddersfield Mind Charity shop at John William Street has seen its sales for festive Christmas cards down by 44% on this time last year.

They say it could be concern over the postal strike has put people off from buying cards for fear they won’t be delivered to loved ones.