Woking FC match to raise money for local charity that's had funding slashed

Citizen's Advice Woking have recently seen their funding reduced by around 70% by the council

Author: Frankie GoldingPublished 10th Feb 2024

There's a special football match taking place today between Woking FC and Hartlepool - where a 10% cut of the ticket prices will go towards a local charity.

Citizen's Advice Woking are currently fundraising to stay open, after the council slashed their funding.

The charity say they've received a cut from £200,000 a year to just £30,000 from the council, who have issued a section 114 notice.

This notice is often used to signify a council has declared bankruptcy.

Laurence Oates - the charity's Chair of Trustees - said:

"Half of our income will not be coming our way now from the 1st April, so of course we are trying as hard as we can to raise the funds but this is just such a major blow to our funds, people are very worried.

"People are anguished about this. because we just can't carry on the way we were, we don't have the money - we may have to close.

"Its important the branch stays open because we serve the vulnerable - debt, housing homelessness - that takes up the majority of our work.

"With the cost of living crisis, we are even more necessary.

"I offer many thanks to Woking Football Club - where a percentage of their ticket sales will go to us, we'll be at the ground with a bucket collecting money."

Woking County Council support:

Woking County Council say they will provide the charity with an 'additional package of support'.

They hope this will assist them in finding alternative financial streams and transition away from council funding.

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