Sir, – I wish I could say Lynn Cronin's experience in trying to lodge the money collected at her coffee morning in aid of Our Lady's Hospice and care services was a once-off (September 27th).
Unfortunately, operational changes by many banks to streamline their services mean many people have difficulty lodging their donations to charities. We hear about this daily and are very concerned at how these changes will seriously impact on charities raising vital funds.
For Irish charities, and the people reliant on their work, this move by banks away from accepting coins and cheques signals a very worrying development.
Fundraising Ireland research carried out over the Christmas appeal period 2012 shows nearly 60 per cent of Irish people still donate, mostly cash, on the street or through face-to-face fundraising. Campaigns such as Trócaire’s Lenten Campaign and the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day raise millions of euro in cash every year. Do we do away with these vital sources of income?
While we appreciate banks have to rationalise their services, we ask them to consider the enormous impact these changes have on charities, community and voluntary organisations.
Charities rely heavily on the goodwill of donors and supporters. If barriers are put in their way when they want to lodge the money they have spent time and effort collecting, they could eventually give up collecting. During these challenging times when the demand for social and charitable services are at their peak, this is a scenario that Ireland can’t afford. – Yours, etc,
ANNE HANNIFFY,
CEO, Fundraising Ireland,
Fitzwilliam Square,
Dublin 4.