Times tough for charities as effects of Covid-19 bite
Welfare organisations share the realities of the impact the pandemic has had
CHARITIES are facing a tough ask as the reality of the economic impact of Covid starts to bite, even before the second lockdown.
Welfare charities have taken significant financial hits as the vast majority of in-person fundraising events have been forced to cancel and visitors have been restricted, and charity shops have also faced periods of closure.
This all comes at a time when many are under additional pressure or demand for their services as a result of the pandemic, and many are lobbying Government for more support.
While they are all finding new ways to continue their vital work, charities are highlighting the stark realities, and how much difference even small gestures can make.
Lynn Cutress, CEO of Redwings, which employs more than 300 staff and is responsible for more than 2,000 equines, said Covid has had a huge impact.
“The temporary closure of our visitor centres meant we saw a loss of income of over £250,000, while the cancellation of events, increasing costs of PPE and an 11% rise in internal welfare costs have further tightened budgets,” she told H&H.
“While we’ve always been a very financially prudent organisation, as a charity 100% funded by donations from the public, this year’s extremely challenging turn of events has meant Redwings will now be operating at a deficit for months or even years to come.”
The charity has added its voice
to a number of others appealing to the Government for more sectorspecific funding.
“The pandemic arrived in the middle of an incredibly challenging welfare landscape,” said Ms Cutress.
“Throughout it we were determined we would not stop rescuing horses.”
Redwings has taken in more than 130 horses and ponies this year. Like many other charities, it had to suspend rehoming between March and May, although it has rehomed 49 ponies since.
Ms Cutress thanked “every single one” of the charity’s staff for their “incredible creativity and innovation”, and supporters who have helped them through.
The Mare and Foal Sanctuary in Devon faced a loss of revenue between March and June of around £160,000. Its income dropped overnight following the enforced closure of charity shops.
Saturday’s (31 October) announcement means it is again facing closure of its shops, from today (5 November), but its online and eBay shops remain open.
“We need all the support we can get, especially now,” fundraising director Dawn Vincent told H&H.
Sue Burton, founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary in Essex, believes the charity is facing a funding gap “in excess of £337,000”.
“As always, we are deeply indebted for everyone’s support. Every winter is tough but this year will be extremely difficult. We implore the public for help. If they can’t donate, we really hope they can shop with us,” said Ms Burton.
Communities For Horses in South Wales works directly with communities to prevent welfare issues and has been hit to the point that its salaried equine welfare officer role is at risk.
“We work in one of the most deprived areas of the country and the people we work with have been severely impacted by the pandemic. They need our support more than ever,” a spokesman for the charity told H&H.
“We are a very small charity relying on in-person fundraising and network building and have been hugely affected by the challenges Covid has thrown at us. In addition to that, the demand for our services has increased.
“We will continue to do what we can, but without the funding it is really difficult.”
Sally Crawford of Bransby Horses in Lincolnshire told H&H the charity is forecasting a loss of £500,000 this year.
“This does include the flood impact but I think it’s important to include this as we’ve gone from one crisis in November 2019, straight into another in March,” she said, adding that the figure would have been higher without furlough, local Government grants and careful management.
“The charity relies heavily on income through gifts in wills each year and due to an anticipated six- to 12-month backlog at the Probate Registry, we expect this to have an impact,” she said.
STILL THERE
BRANSBY executive director of equine welfare Emma Carter added: “Our teams will continue to be there for horses in need during the lockdown and beyond through our rescue work.
“There is a concern across the charity sector about the demand for our services with the economic impact of Covid-19, putting horses at risk and the overload for charities, which have been stretched to capacity for the past five years.”
Bransby, which is working to get back on track with rehoming, has more than 350 horses on two sites and has split its teams in two so that if one has to self-isolate, the other can pick up the care.
“Working safely through Covid-19 has been our biggest challenge ever. Our teams have been fantastic though, and their caring and compassion for the horses and each other still inspires me every day,” Emma said.
“We need all the help we can get”
MARE AND FOAL SANCTUARY