TROWBRIDGE-based furniture recycling charity Group 5 believes that since Wiltshire Council withdrew its funding last month, their reputation has been subject to “unwarranted suspicion” from future investors.

The volunteer-run charity, based on West Ashton Road, is now was first told that Wiltshire Council would be withdrawing its entire £5,000 annual grant last month and since then they have been struggling to stay afloat.

David Gowen, treasurer of Group 5, said: “People are asking questions all over the place and they are asking why we haven’t been given our grant like many other charities and I cannot answer that because I do not know myself. At the moment, iIf things do not materialise for us then we will be in trouble.”

The charity, which has been running for 25 years, re-distributes unwanted furniture and household items to needy families across the west Wiltshire area and runs on a £15,000 annual budget.

Mr Gowen has applied for numerous grants on behalf of the charity but many are now questioning why they had their funding cut in the first place.

He added: “Wiltshire Council have offered alternative places to apply but the problem is that there is suspicion on why they have stopped our funds.

“One hundred per cent of the work we do is for Wiltshire Council and if they are not supporting us then some people are thinking why, which is throwing unwarranted suspicion on our charity.”

The cuts to voluntary and community groups are part of Wiltshire Council’s plans to slash £30 million out of their 2015-16 budget.

Wiltshire Council confirmed that a letter was sent to Group 5 in December notifying them of the cost-cutting measures although it is believed to have been sent to the incorrect person.

A council spokesman said: “Wiltshire Council does not want to see Group 5 stop serving the community and we will continue to work with them to help them find other sources of funding to provide their service in new and better ways, in line with similar furniture recycling organisations in Wiltshire.”