Charities say they are struggling financially in the lead up to Christmas – with a stark drop off in donations that is being felt across the country.
It’s being blamed on the high costs facing households, prompting GiveALittle to create a special “day of giving”.
At Diamond Harbour School near Christchurch, a comedy night fundraiser had been planned to fund a new paint job for the pool.
However, the parents running it had to pull the pin.
“In the end I think we sold at most 40 out of a maximum 300 tickets,” said Diamond Harbour School Education Charitable Trust secretary Liv Sinclair.
“Largely it was just that it’s harder to be able to afford two tickets, and a babysitter.”
Across town, Christchurch charity One Mother To Another, run by former 1News journalist Joy Reid, was also feeling the pinch.
“What we’re finding is it’s a lot harder for people to be generous I think this time of year.”
The charity has been providing emotional support and gift packages for parents of children in hospital for nearly a decade and has noticed a sudden drop for this year’s Christmas appeal.
“We’re having to work twice as hard to get that same result as we have in previous years.”
GiveALittle chief executive Lythan Chapman said it is a story she has heard again recently, with charitable grants also affected.
“I think it’s pretty grim.”
“The number of grants that are available has diminished, those grants that are available have also reduced in the amount of funding that is available in those grants.”
Now, GiveALittle was hoping to encourage Kiwis to donate.
It lit up landmarks across the country last night, as part of a new 'GiveALittle Day'.
“Even if it’s just a dollar, a dollar will combine with other dollars and make a real difference," Chapman said.
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