Dementia charity’s appeal to avert looming cash crisis
‘Value of money isn’t what it can buy but how many it can help’
A BARNSLEY charity, which has provided a lifeline to hundreds if not thousands of Barnsley people, has appealed for support through the next difficult few months in a bid to avoid reaching crisis point.
Barnsley Independent Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support (BIADS) is a local charity with every penny donated used in the town to support people with dementia and their families.
Linda Pattison, BIADS’ chief officer, is appealing for help after the charity has seen a fall in donations and delays to several funding applications.
“We’re in a difficult situation and have found ourselves needing to ask for help. The cost of living crisis is potentially going to be more damaging to us than Covid was and several factors have come into play which has created a perfect storm in terms of funds.
“The delays to the funding applications, combined with a drop in donations and fundraising, teamed with a delay in the opening of our charity shop in Cudworth, has left us significantly down on income. Add to that increased costs and we really need some support to see us through to the New Year.
“Everyone, charities, businesses and individuals, are suffering from the cost of living crisis and BIADS is no different. While BIADS does have funding in place for some of its services like the activities programme, with all funding streams down, it is the general expenses like core staff wages that we need to cover.”
The charity is hopeful that the funding applications will provide a much-needed lifeline come the start of the New Year but has reached crunch point in terms of the next few months.
“We hope that funds we have applied for will be made available in the New Year but we have to get through the next three months We’re not at crisis point yet but we will be before long. We have focused on the positive things we can do up to now by appealing for donations and reaching out for help but if the situation doesn’t improve, then we will need to look at negative moves like assessing staff hours etc. This kind of cost-cutting would obviously have a knock-on effect on the services we offer.
“We are asking the fantastic people and organisations of Barnsley if they could support us by making a donation or holding a fundraising event every penny would help.”
Some planned fundraising events have had to be cancelled including the Halloween Ball due to lack of ticket sales which Linda puts down to people being careful with their money due to the uncertainty over what the coming months will bring.
Linda is keen to point out that the charity realises times are hard for many and that no donation is too small any amount would be helpful at this point.
“If you think you may be able to offer some support then please ring us on 01226 280057 or email biads@btconnect. com”
“No donation is ever too small as the impact on our members is huge after all, the value of money isn’t what it can buy but how many people it can help,” said Linda.