The High Sheriff of North Yorkshire is supporting an online fundraising campaign to help York’s small charities and charitable organisations ‘keep the lights on’.
The results of a recent ‘Voluntary and Community Sector Resilience Survey’, conducted by York CVS, found that:
- 40% of York charities said their future is uncertain beyond October 2020
- 72% of charities have had to close or put part of their services on hold and
- 67% expect to lose £10,000 or more due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The High Sheriff David A Kerfoot is asking York residents to support the city’s small charities by donating to the York Small Charities Fund, a fund set-up to help ensure local small charities and charitable organisations can continue to support York’s most vulnerable residents.
Direct help
The fund will be managed by York CVS and Two Ridings Community Foundation. All of the money raised by the campaign will go directly to York’s small charities and charitable organisations.
David Kerfoot said: “The more money we can raise, the more small charities and charitable organisations we’ll be able to support.
“When it comes to small charities, a little can go a long way and it’s essential that we do not lose any of these valuable services.
“Many of the lesser known charities support those who have been worst affected by the pandemic, so the knock-on effect due to the lack of funding is devastating to them.
“We must all take some degree of responsibility – no matter how small – and act now.”
Alison Semmence, chief executive of York CVS, said:
“There are so many fantastic small charities in York who support the most vulnerable people in our communities.
“This fundraising campaign is to support those small charities and charitable organisations who do not have the capacity or means to run individual fundraising campaigns but are in desperate need of support to ensure they can continue to deliver their services.”