With fundraising significantly down, it is a very challenging time for York’s charities and community groups with many likely to close down if they do not urgently receive support. They have launched

a new online fundraising campaign, ‘Keep the Lights On’, to help boost their chances of survival.

York CVS and Two Ridings Community Foundation will run the fund with everything raised will go directly to York’s small charities.

It comes after a survey by York CVS (Centre for Voluntary Service) found that 67% of the city’s charities expect to lose £10,000 or more due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey also found that 72 per cent of charities have had to close or put part of their services on hold and 40 per cent said their future was uncertain beyond October 2020.

Rachael Maskell MP for York Central, and the Shadow Minister for the Voluntary Sector and Communities said:

“Throughout this crisis charities have reached deep into our communities to meet the needs of people, now we need Government to reach deep into its pockets to help meet the needs of charities.

With fundraising opportunities lost and bills still to pay, charities have depended on the generosity of the public over the last three months, and many of the staff have also been furloughed. However, as furlough is being withdrawn and reserves are drying up, charities are going to struggle to survive without additional help.”

To see the full article on the York Press website, please see the link below:
https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/18559700.small-charities-york-left-crisis-covid-19/