Children`s Society rescue package moves closer

The Welsh taskforce 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 which will reduce the deficit for children’s services from
£800,000 to £250,000.

But they have 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.

Taskforce chair 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.