News

A £500,000 emergency fund set up to save voluntary organisations from closure following council funding cuts has been oversubscribed, leaving 39 organisations facing a cash crisis.

Twenty-six voluntary organisations have received money from the fund, announced in March by home secretary David Blunkett.

But director of the National Association of Volunteer Bureaux Chris Penberthy said: "The harsh reality is that for those who were unsuccessful in their applications to the emergency fund will now face a substantial cut in their ability to deliver their services and many face closure over the coming months."