AN URGENT appeal for donations has gone out from a charity for the needy.

Justice and Peace say their funding from Halton Council has been cut by 60 per cent.

The group collect unwanted furniture and redistribute it to the poor.

"We knew there was going to be a cut but we thought 10 per cent or 15 per cent, not this," said June, of Justice and Peace.

"This barely covers our overheads and leaves us with nothing for running costs."

One 74-year-old lady, reffered to Justice and Peace by the council itself, has not got a bed.

Justice and Peace said request forms for help show nearly 30 children are without beds, 11 families are in empty properties and six babies are without cots.

John from Justice and Peace said: "In my opinion they are operating a policy of social exclusion, not social inclusion."

June said they were going to have to buy a cot for one five-week-old boy with their own money.

"All these families have been refused grants and loans from the social, so there is nowhere for them to go, except perhaps to loan sharks," said Justice and Peace.

June said the group now only works one-an-a-half days a week instead of five.

Even the fax paper they sent to the World in a plea for help had to be bought for them.

Last year the group helped more than 300 families, pensioners and single people in Halton.

This year the council grant has fell from £6,500 to £2,575.

Halton Council said: "It has been a difficult process this year as the council has been faced with a reduced budget and applicants for the voluntary sector funding have exceeded the available funds."

You can call Justice and Peace on 0151-420 1266 or the charity shop on 0151-424 4661.