Cash bid to cover charity pull-out

The Welsh task force charged with devising a
rescue package in the wake of the Children’s Society decision to
pull out of Wales says it has made “significant steps” towards
resolving the crisis.

The Children’s Society has agreed to come up
with a cash donation that will reduce the deficit for children’s
services from £800,000 to £250,000.

But the charity has refused a request to act
as an interim body to ensure continuity of services until new
arrangements can be set in place from March 2003.

Task force chairperson Christine Walby said
she felt “upbeat” following Tuesday’s meeting: “We have a business
plan in place and we feel we can make it happen.”

She also paid tribute to Children’s Society
staff who had kept services going through a “hellish time”.

The task force is expecting further funds from
the Church of Wales and will also be approaching corporate donors
for money.

The task force was set up by the Welsh
assembly in the wake of the Children’s Society’s decision last
November to leave Wales.