‘Charities give value for money’
DISAPPOINTMENT has been voiced by some local charities after it was revealed a downturn in revenue from the Christmas Lottery would mean less money for them.
The Association of Guernsey Charities announced this week that it had received 58 applications for funding from charities.
These totalled to more than £600,000, but the draw raised only £190,077, which was £22,600 less than 2016.
‘It is disappointing, – the more islanders buy tickets it will benefit the charities – but I guess it’s one of those things,’ said Mandy Le Bachelet, manager of the Guernsey Volunteer Service.
‘Maybe the lottery isn’t quite so attractive. It’s not the association’s fault, but we are appreciative of any help we can get.’
She said the States needed to work together with charities, and if they could not provide financial support, they could support in other ways.
‘It’s very difficult, we all know the States have had their budgets cut and had to cut back on some services and charities are picking up the pieces.’
Victim Support and Witness Services manager Amanda Winkett, pictured right, said following Jersey and giving charities some money from scratchcard sales should be looked into.
‘Charities offer huge value for money, I think, in terms of services we offer and I don’t think we should lose sight of this,’ she said.
‘I think the association has done the best with what it has got and has had to make some difficult decisions.
‘We just need to pick ourselves up and carry on.
‘Charities are quite robust and it’s a shame there’s this shortfall.’
Emily Litten, executive director of Guernsey Mind, said the lottery was good for funding small projects and she had thought about the island holding another lottery for charities.
‘In the UK they have a health and social care lottery and I’ve often thought we should have one here, so I think that would be a good idea.’
Charities also said they were overwhelmed by the public’s generosity.
If donating money is not an option, islanders are also able to donate their time by undertaking voluntary work.
n In 2016, scratchcard revenue was £8.6m. in Guernsey and £5.84m. in Jersey.
This compares with £1.2m. in revenue from the Christmas draw in Guernsey and £2.1m. in Jersey.
