Plea not to cut voluntary groups’ funding

A CHURCH leader has warned the government not to indulge in cutbacks against voluntary organisations without which vital services to society would fall apart.

Bishop Paul Colton has advised the Government not to take for granted the essential work being carried out by voluntary groups against an unfolding landscape of economic cutbacks.

“Let’s call a spade a spade,” he said yesterday, “the reality is were it not for volunteers, many aspects of health work; caring for the needy and elderly; the work of our education sector; sporting and recreational bodies together with special causes, would founder without volunteers” The Church of Ireland bishop said: “They are too easily forgotten sometimes, but their work cannot afford to be undermined by the lack of resources.