VOLUNTEERS of Trowbridge-based furniture recycling charity Group 5 have spoken of their fears for the future after it was announced last week that Wiltshire Council decided to withdraw its funding.

Group 5, based on West Ashton Road, Trowbridge was first told that Wiltshire Council would be withdrawing its entire £5,000 annual grant last week.

David Gowen, treasurer, of Group 5 said: “They just chopped us off with no notice. We are still carrying on as normal and then hopefully we will be able to find the extra funding. I think everyone is disheartened at the moment and to see whether we can stay afloat. I am applying for grants left right and centre."

Group 5 also feared that they would also lose their £2,500 grant from Selwood Housing but the housing association confirmed that if Group 5 were to put in an application for a community grant then they would be backed.

A Selwood Housing spokesman said: “We would be pleased to see Group 5 make a formal application for the New Year. Group 5 and their excellent volunteers provide a valuable service to the local community.”

Group 5 redistributes unwanted furniture and household items to needy families and has received Wiltshire Council funding since it was set up 25 years ago.

Tenants of Selwood Housing benefit most from the recycled furniture the charity gives out.

Mr Gowen said the annual budget for the charity is £15,000, also made up from funding from town councils, the Five Towns Initiative set up by the former West Wiltshire District Council, churches and public donations.

He said: “The majority of money we have available is for renting the premises, running the van and telephone and travelling expenses. So therefore we operate on a very low budget.”

In a letter to the Wiltshire Times, Cllr Jonathon Seed, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for housing and leisure, said the fact that the council needed to make £30m in savings required tough choices.

He said: “We have asked all voluntary sector organisations to follow our lead in also finding efficiencies and this included Group 5. Unfortunately Group 5 were unable to deliver the savings required.”

Mr Gowen added: “I do not think we can cut back any more. There is no possible savings we can make anywhere at the moment. If we had full time, paid staff then we could let them go but all we have is unpaid volunteers.”

The group believes that if Wiltshire Council decreased the amount of funding by even 10 per cent then the furniture charity would still be able to cope.

Mr Gowen added: “I just think they have turned their back on the most needy people in West Wiltshire."

Cllr Seed added: “We certainly do not want to see Group 5 stop serving the community – however we all need to work together to save money and find new ways of providing important services in these difficult financial times.”