Worthing charities hit by petrol prices '“ with map

Since October last year, the cost of petrol and diesel has rocketed by more than 25 per cent, with no sign of a slow-down in sight. Click here to see a map showing petrol prices at garages across the area as well as graphs showing the increase cost of fuel. And while most organisations have not yet been forced to take drastic action, many say they will be reviewing their budgets closely in the coming weeks and months. Guild Care Caroline Winton, Guild Care's transport manager, said: "The fuel budget doesn't look good this year. "In April alone we spent 350 more than the 1,050 we had budgeted." Guild Care provides transport to and from its healthy living centre in North Street, Worthing, via minibus for a small fee. At the moment it charges 3 per return trip from anywhere in Worthing or Lancing, but Caroline said: "We hope not to pass any of the increase on to the people using our services, however, if fuel prices continue to rise we will be forced to review this." The charity also said it had "reluctantly" just increased its mileage charge for external users from 65p to 72p. Worthing Churches Homeless projects Worthing Churches Homeless Projects has a number of drivers who help relocate homeless people when they find new properties throughout Sussex. As such, PR and fund-raising manager Sue Stevens said the fuel crisis was causing big problems. "We've just helped someone relocate to Hastings from Worthing, which financially will stretch the budgets. "I can't say it's stopped us working with someone because we couldn't put that kind of price on working with our clients, but I'm sure it has affected our volunteers who help us deliver and collect food. "They, and staff who ferry clients around, are having to walk more which is good in one way but unproductive in as much as it is lost time." St Barnabas House and Chestnut Tree House The retail department for St Barnabas House hospice and Chestnut Tree House Children's hospice has also been hit. The cost of transporting furniture to and from its shops has risen sharply, meaning money that could have been spent elsewhere is having to go on fuel. Schools and colleges Julia Smith, director of administration at Worthing High School in South Farm Road, said the school had not cut down on the number of trips in light of the fuel crisis. But while outings are still going ahead, Julia said the cost to children for outings had increased this year. While over at Worthing College in Bolsover Road, trips administrator Nicola Bainbridge said: "We are still running the same school trips but with the cost of petrol as it is, we may have to increase the cost of them in future." Speaking out in defence of fuel stations, Brian Steele, finance director of Steele's Garage in Goring Way, Worthing, said they were not profiteering from the situation. He said: "Unlike many other commodities, which tend to have a percentage profit (meaning the higher the price, the higher the profit), petrol is generally marked up in pence per litre. "This means that the price has little effect on gross profit. In fact, as price becomes more of an issue, competition becomes tougher and the garages make less. Offering 5p a litre off means operating at a loss." Click here to read his and other readers' letters. What do you think? Are you feeling the pinch? What has the increased cost of petrol meant for you and your family? How are you cutting costs? Share your views, comment in the space below, email the Herald or write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald series, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA. ------------------------------------- Click here to go back to Worthing news. Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here. Email the Herald: letters@worthingherald.co.uk