Elaine Loughlin: Charities fall on hard times as Covid leaves €445m funds gap

The coronavirus pandemic has left many of the country’s charitable institutions struggling to cope and searching desperately for lifelines as traditional fundraising streams have mostly dried up, writes Political Correspondent Elaine Loughlin

Cork Penny Dinners director Caitríona Twomey, homeless campaigner Fr Peter McVerry, head of School of Education at UCC Fiona Chambers, and Professor Pat Fitzpatrick of UCC during a visit to Cork Penny Dinners facilities before social distancing measures were brought in. Picture: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

AT a time when people need support more than ever, charities fear they won’t be able to provide services next year.

Covid-19 brought a sudden end to bucket collections, coffee mornings, sponsored runs, and all the other community fundraisers that charities heavily rely on. The pandemic has left organisations with a €445m hole in their finances this year.