A children's charity hit Covid-19 has made a desperate plea to the government for help to save it from going under.
Hope 4 Kidz has helped over 56,500 disadvantaged children and their families since it opened in 2007.
Now the charity is facing a bleak future future due to Coronavirus outbreak after funding and donations dried up.
The Sunderland-based charity is appealing to the government to amend the criteria to help good causes receive small business loans.
It says it has "fallen through the cracks" of the current legislation which sees businesses pay little or receive rates relief eligible for £10,000.
Viv Watts, Chief Executive of Hope 4 Kidz, said the charity has been told it is not eligible for any kind of grant.
"We are probably paying more than most of the other businesses at the centre, yet they are all entitled to the £10,000 grant and we can’t get anything at all", she said
“As a very small charity we don’t have large reserves and our fundraising came to a complete halt at the end of March.
“The staff are now on furlough and like many other small organisations which have received no financial support will struggle to pay core expenses in June and July. “This may lead to many smaller organisations and businesses closing their doors.”
Viv added: "Hope 4 Kidz provided support and equipment for families and young people in need who can’t help anywhere else this vital service may end if some financial support is not forthcoming.”
Viv is now appealing for the public to join the national #NeverMoreNeeded campaign. The campaign will help give charities the financial support they need.
She has now written to councillors, MPs, and to the Home Secretary Priti Patel, to highlight the situation.
She added: “I can’t get any clear information as to why we are not eligible and it seems we are penalised because we are paying more rates than many businesses,
“It’s a very worrying situation and I am very concerned for the future of the charity – and the jobs of my team – if this isn’t rectified.”
