Rising fuel costs may see charity reduce aid trips

A Jersey charity that delivers Christmas presents to children in Ukraine and Romania says its operations might have to be scaled back due to rising fuel costs.

Mustard Seed Jersey has been sending relief and Christmas presents abroad since 1998. Its founder Rose Hélie said those involved had been "pretty shocked" by the increase in fuel prices, which she said had "very much affected the cost of our transport".

Earlier this week, it was announced that diesel prices in the UK had reached an all-time high due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Hélie said the cost of fuel had "gone up horrendously" and was behind its decision to look at reducing the number of trips abroad it funds.

"Unless we suddenly have a sudden influx of money, we will work on only one general aid consignment and one shoe box consignment instead of two general aid consignments and one shoe box consignment," she said.

Hélie said the work it did meant so much to communities and hoped it could continue to deliver the sentimental gifts and essential aid to children who may not otherwise receive anything at Christmas time.

She said: "I went into an orphanage and a little girl signalled to me to go and let her show me something under her bed.

"She pulled her Christmas shoe box and, you know, the contents were gone, but she was keeping it as a treasured possession where she put her special things."

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