Charities issue credit crunch plea

24/10/08

Charity shops in Borough Green and West Malling have issued an appeal to residents to maintain their generosity in spite of the deepening credit crunch.

As consumers increasingly move to tighten their belts in response to the sour economic climate, the Sevenoaks Chronicle reports that many charities are concerned.

It quoted one charity spokesman, Sheila Burton of the Heart of Kent Hospice, as saying that after 17 years in the business she has 'never seen such a decline in donations'.

Ms Burton commented: 'There is this fallacy all the charities must be doing well. If they are doing well financially then I still say they are struggling for donations.'

Assessing her own organisation's situation, she went on to say: 'We are almost two thirds down on this time last year.'

In addition to the fall in monetary donations, Ms Burton revealed that cash-strapped individuals are even becoming more reluctant to give away old furniture, clothing and bric-a-brac.

In response to the downturn, analysts say good causes should explore new ways of enhancing charity communications through the uptake of new technologies.

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