| Duchess of Kent House Charity (DoKHC) is concerned that the proposed abolition of cheques will have serious implications for the Berkshire based charity.
Each year DoKHC has to raise more than £500,000 in order to support Duchess of Kent House in providing its vital services free of charge to people with life-limiting illnesses and their friends and family. Most of the Charity’s income comes from charitable donations from local community, with a significant amount received through cheques.
George Solly, Director of Fundraising at DoKHC said:
“A huge proportion of the donations we receive are through cheques. Many our supporters may not have access to the internet or feel comfortable sharing credit card details.
“We are very concerned that unless viable alternative payment methods are introduced and giving habits change significantly, the abolition of cheques will have significant implications for Duchess of Kent House Charity and the sector as a whole.”
The hospice sector recently raised its concern through its membership body Help the Hospices in a submission to the Treasury Select Committee’s consultation on the future of cheques.
The sector recommended that the current timeline for the abolition of cheques be reconsidered and stressed that a managed abolition of cheques should take place only if suitable alternatives were identified, fully developed and made widely available.
Jonathan Ellis, director of policy at Help the Hospices, said:
“Payment options are already being limited and banks are being incentivised to begin the process of phasing out cheques before a viable alternative has been established.
“The fundraising climate is already challenging enough for hospices and we strongly recommend that the Payments Council engages with hospices and the wider charitable sector in order to evaluate the viability of possible alternatives before any abolition takes place.” |
