The cost-of-living crisis has been blamed for a major charity fundraising event being cancelled.
Poor ticket sales have prompted the Perthshire charity to cancel its All Golden Charity Ball, which had been due to take place at Crieff Hydro in less than three weeks.
The 50th anniversary ball was hoped to gather thousands of pounds for PKAVS - a Perth -based charity which supports unpaid carers, those recovering from mental ill health and elderly people.
But board members took the decision to halt plans after hearing of serious financial worries among local people.
They say they have been left concerned about how people in Perth and Kinross will cope with spiralling costs and have vowed to do all they can to help.
The £60-per-ticket ball was due to be held on September 9.
The PKAVS annual ball has taken on a variety of fun themes over the years and, while providing a morale boost for all who attend, importantly it usually brings in over five thousand pounds for the third sector volunteers’ organisation so it can support a range of people-centred projects.
PKAVS had envisioned to make the most of 2022 being its 50th anniversary.
With gold as the theme for festivities, the ball had originally been scheduled for May but was called off as the public shied away from group bookings in the wake of Covid.
Then it was back on the calendar for September 9, but with sales sluggish for different reasons, last Friday the PKAVS board came to the decision to pull the plug on this date too.
“Sadly, we have come to the difficult decision to cancel our 50th anniversary charity ball,” explained Graham Illsley, corporate policy officer with PKAVS.
“Our supporters have told us that with a cost-of -living crisis and future financial uncertainty, concerns about money are at the forefront of their thoughts.
“Supporters across Perth and Kinross have told us that they cannot afford to buy tickets, are concerned about what the coming months will bring, and are reluctant to spend money when the future is so uncertain.
“For many of our beneficiaries, budgeting and managing money is an enormous worry and can be detrimental to their wellbeing. While promoting our Charity Ball, talking to those we support, and listening to people throughout Perthshire, it has become clear that the cost-of-living crisis is the biggest challenge that they have faced in decades.
“It is a small disappointment for us that our celebration will not go ahead, but a much greater concern that so many are suffering, and that even more will struggle in the coming months.”
“We are very concerned about how the current crisis will affect those living throughout Perth and Kinross and will do everything we can to support people during these challenging times.
“Over the years, PKAVS has grown and now focuses on improving the wellbeing of individuals and communities, ensuring that we are there to help people at the times when they need it the most.”
Asked what the lost fundraising opportunity was worth to PKAVS, he said: “It’s difficult to say exactly as every year has been very different.
“I’d say we would generally look to raise between £5000 and £10,000 from the charity ball.”
