Charities deal with impact of higher fuel prices
BBCCharities reliant on transporting products, both around the world and more locally, have said higher fuel prices caused by the conflict in Iran have hit them hard.
Tools for Self Reliance, based in Netley Marsh, Hampshire, collects and refurbishes equipment no longer needed in the UK and sends it abroad to help fledgling businesses.
But increased shipping costs mean the price of a container heading for Africa has gone from £8,000 to £9,500, while it and other charities struggle with the hiking prices of moving things closer to home.
"Shipping generally is a bit of a mess... so that impacts on the length of time it takes to get to places," the charity's chief executive Sarah Ingleby said.
"Even as a small charity in Netley Marsh, we're still impacted by that global conflict as well," she added.
The Community Furniture Project, in Newbury, Berkshire, is paying £1,000 more every month to power its 11 vehicles so it can collect and deliver items.
Kelvin Hughes, the chief executive of the Newbury Community Resource Centre (NCRC), which includes the project and another in Basingstoke, said its fuel is now 35% more expensive than it was weeks ago.
"The additional cost means that we have to try and cut back on services - which we desperately try and avoid doing - or we have to look at more creative ways of delivering the service that we've got," Hughes said.
"We don't want to be putting the prices up because the people we're supporting, their income is also severely constrained."
The NCRC seeks to provide a range of volunteering, placement and training schemes for local people.
Dave Moore, who drives a truck for the project, said its 80 litre tank had previously cost about £110 to £120 to fill it up. It is now costing about £150, he said.
"We can't put our prices up in accordance with how much more it's costing to do it, because we're then not doing what we're supposed to do, which is give people affordable furniture," he added.
