A SUFFOLK charity is facing a massive shortfall today after the budget for its latest project spiralled.

A SUFFOLK charity is facing a massive shortfall today after the budget for its latest project spiralled.

Age Concern Suffolk is creating a new help centre in Ipswich's Upper Brook Street to provide a better service to elderly people.

It had planned to spend £65,000 on the project but is now facing a bill of £110,000 for the work. So far the charity has only managed to raise £33,000, leaving it a long way from its target.

Maggie James, the fundraising manger, said: “This is very much an urgent appeal for more money.

“When we got the engineers' report back there was more work that needed to be done on the new building.

“It was work that hadn't been foreseen but we will need to pay for and there is no way we are not doing it. We are really looking forward to the move.

“The extra money is coming out of our reserves; we will not be using money that is spent on services.

“But we need the extra money as soon as possible.

“We have also delayed the moving day. We had hoped to move in at the end of September but we will have to stay where we are for another month.”

Mrs James added that the charity had received fewer donations than it had hoped for to help fund the project, something which may be linked to the current credit crunch.

Is your charity feeling the pinch because of the credit crunch? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.