Popular community competition returns with bigger prize fund and potential for a bigger day out

For our local charities, this year is set to be a tumultuous one as funding by our councils is being slashed. The double whammy of council cutbacks and a recession (which has increased demand for their services) has made 2012 and may make subsequent years tougher than before.

The person you may see at your local charity shop or food bank may enjoy their role, but behind this exterior, he or she may be rushed off their feet. Therefore, giving up some of their time to avert hunger or sell secondhand clothes could be hard work, given that he or she may only be paid travel expenses. With 27% of charities planning to cut back on paid staff and expenditure (source: National Council for Voluntary Organisations Charity Forecast 16 report, February 2012), even the…