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.

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.