Plea for cash continues (From Penarth Times)

Plea for cash continues

WITH world media attention fixed firmly on the aftermath of the tsunami disaster and on charities supporting the relief effort for the victims, other charity organisations are finding that much-needed funding is more difficult to secure. Charity shops in Penarth town centre have reported mixed fortunes since the horrific events of Boxing Day.

Angela Church, of Cancer Research UK, said: "I would say that in terms of cash donations we are down and that is probably to do with the tsunami appeal.

"But we are receiving just as much stock as before.

"In fact, because some charities are struggling to deal with the amount of stock donations for tsunami victims, we have probably benefitted."

Cancer Research UK is the world's leading charity dedicated to research on the causes, treatment and prevention of cancer.

It supports the work of more than 3,000 scientists, doctors and nurses working across the UK.

Betty Lowder, a volunteer worker at the George Thomas charity shop, said: "Our takings are definitely down.

"This may well be to do with events in south east Asia, but you also have to bear in mind that the period directly following Christmas is usually slow.

"However, stock is still coming in as before."

The George Thomas Hospice in Cardiff, which is staffed by MacMillan nurses, provides respite care for victims of cancer and other long-term illnesses in south Wales.

Gill Jakob, manager of the Penarth shop of cancer charity Tenovus, said: "Obviously people only have a certain amount of money that they can give to charity.

"At the moment people are favouring Oxfam and the Red Cross because they are directly supporting the national tsunami appeal.

"Our trade has been affected but stock is still coming in as other charities have been deluged with non-cash donations.

"We certainly don't begrudge the tsunami victims a penny.

"When something like this happens it is only right and proper that the global community responds as it is doing."

Tenovus is a charitable organisation committed to the control of cancer through quality research, prevention and education, counselling and patient care.

Tenovus funds scientists and clinicians in Cardiff, Southampton, Liverpool and Bournemouth, who undertake new and unique research projects in the search to control and treat various cancers.

They collaborate with research centres around the world and work closely with staff in many hospitals to ensure that patients benefit promptly from advances in research.

As well as its research programmes, Tenovus is committed to funding support and counselling services for cancer patients and their families through teams of nurses, counsellors and social workers.

Shirley Andrews, manager of Penarth's British Red Cross Shop, said: "I would say business has been pretty much the same as usual.

"I think everywhere is quieter after Christmas but people are still coming in and buying things.

"We are running our own tsunami appeal which feeds into the national Disaster Emergency Appeal. So far in Penarth we have raised more than 2,000."

The International Committee of the Red Cross is a neutral organisation ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of violence.