by Chris Price

Bogus callers and the recession have left charities in Kent with
a shortfall in donations.

Charities such as the British Heart Foundation have seen a 15 per cent drop in donations in the county.

The two major causes are people keeping their possessions for
longer as the recession kicks in and a rise in the number of fake
collectors.

Charities are now encouraging people to take donations directly
to shops or to check anyone calling has identification.

British Heart Foundation regional manager Debbie Boylen said:
"People in Kent are keeping hold of their stuff longer because of
the economic conditions - but what really concerns us is the number
of bogus callers out there.

"They are getting out earlier than our drivers and taking this
stuff so stock left out for us is not always getting into a British
Heart Foundation shop."

Audio: Debbie Boylen talks about the
charity's situation and offers advice on how to thwart the bogus
callers

Smaller charities are suffering even more, such as the Ellenor Lions Hospice, which works in Gravesend, Dartford and Swanley.

The charity had to launch an emergency appeal to find £200,000
by the end of the financial year just to keep operating.
Fundraising manager Linda Trew thinks it may not always end so
well.

She said. "We have had to make cutbacks and shave our costs to
make sure out donations go straight to our service.

"In general this year has been very tough. We still need
£4.7million to run our services through the year and it is hard for
smaller charities like us that do not have a big national
profile."

Mrs Trew said she was upset about bogus callers taking donations
meant for charities in Kent.

"To steal from a charity you are taking from people's good will.
It is very sad."