Fears charities will struggle in downturn

MORE than four-fifths of the public are concerned about the future of the charity sector as a result of the economic downturn, according to a survey.

The Charity Awareness Monitor, carried out by nfpSynergy, a non-for-profit sector research consultancy, found that 82 per cent of those questioned were concerned about the charity sector because of the bleak state of the economy.

Of those, 43 per cent said they were "very" or "extremely" worried that the result of the economic downturn and the prolonged recovery would mean many charities having to reduce their services or close altogether.