2.2m will no longer give cash to charity

AT least 1.6 million charity donors have cancelled their direct debits to a good cause since the pandemic started.

The figure is forecast to rise to 2.2 million this year and into 2022 as financial hardship continues.

The Covid-19 Support Fund, launched a year ago by the insurance and savings industry to help charities, commissioned the survey.

It found 40 per cent of charities expect a fall in donations, as giving by the public plummets.

The survey also reveals that the way people give may change. Of those who do still intend to donate, one in 10 plans to give to smaller charities.The same number wants to volunteer.

The survey questioned 2,000 consumers and 25 charities.

Colm Holmes, chair of the Covid-19 Support Fund governance committee and a director at Aviva, said: “Our findings suggest charities could face a funding shortfall going into 2022 which could have serious repercussions on those who depend on them.

“Keeping charities afloat in these tough times is crucial.”

Decline

Among the beneficiaries of the £100million raised by the support fund is Streets2Home, a charity based in Harlow, Essex, which runs a day centre for homeless people in the community to rest, make friends and get assistance.

Chief executive Kerrie Eastman said: “Whilst it’s difficult to predict what the next year will bring, we are anticipating a fall in donations from the public post-pandemic.

“Many of our supporters are local people and small businesses who have and will continue to suffer the decline in the economy.

“But we have been fortunate to benefit from the Covid-19 Support Fund. The funds we received allowed us to continue supporting those in need with essential services.

Gee Cook, chief executive of New Routes, a refugee charity in Norwich, said: “We have noticed the impact that the prolonged crisis is having on people’s ability to give.

“Large businesses are in a position to really help plug this funding gap. Our grant came via the Covid-19 Support Fund, and was massively important for us at a time when other sources of funding dried up.”