A CHILDREN'S charity has warned it may be forced to stop helping sick children in North Staffordshire amid a slump in donations from the public.

Caudwell Children says people in the area are not donating money to the charity because they mistakenly believe billionaire John Caudwell provides all its funds.

Around £3 million is usually raised nationally each year, but this year that total is down by around £1 million.

To make matters worse the number of requests for help coming in to the charity is up by around 55 per cent.

Chief Executive Trudi Beswick said: "John remains the charity's largest benefactor by donating a large sum every year, which allow us to raise funds and focus on helping sick and disabled children. But he does not pay for the millions of pounds worth of donations we make every year."

The charity, based at the Minton

A CHILDREN'S charity has warned it may be forced to stop helping sick children in North Staffordshire amid a slump in donations from the public.

Caudwell Children says people in the area are not donating money to the charity because they mistakenly believe billionaire John Caudwell provides all its funds.

Around £3 million is usually raised nationally each year, but this year that total is down by around £1 million.

To make matters worse the number of requests for help coming in to the charity is up by around 55 per cent.

Chief Executive Trudi Beswick said: "John remains the charity's largest benefactor by donating a large sum every year, which allow us to raise funds and focus on helping sick and disabled children. But he does not pay for the millions of pounds worth of donations we make every year."

The charity, based at the Minton Hollins Building, in Stoke, gives support to families across the country. It provides specialist equipment, life-saving treatments and holidays for families caring for a terminally-ill child.

It was originally established by John Caudwell as part of the Caudwell Group. But since he sold his empire in 2006, the charity has stood alone. Mr Caudwell donates a sum each year which covers the organisation's running costs, but all the money spent on helping children comes from other donations.

Mrs Beswick said: "Many of the charity's major benefactors who live outside North Staffordshire are requesting that their donations are spent on children in their home town.

"If the people of Staffordshire don't support us, we will eventually run out of money to provide vital support for sick and disabled children in our own city."

Since 2000, Caudwell Children has given out £10 million and helped thousands of children.

Jackie Griffiths knows how important it is that Caudwell Children gets the donations it needs. Her nine-year-old daughter Tilly, who has spinal muscular atrophy, was given a new lease of life by two wheelchairs provided by the charity.

Jackie, aged 48, from Cheddleton, said: "Caudwell Children gave Tilly her first powered wheelchair when she was three, which cost £11,500.

"Then when she got too big for it she had her current chair which will see her through to high school. It was £20,000.

"People should be encouraged to donate to the Caudwell Children because, as John Caudwell covers all the running costs, it mean that every penny donated goes to help the children."

Dawn Rollason's children Owen and Jenny-Lee, pictured, have also received support from Caudwell Children.

Owen, aged seven, has cerebral palsy, severe reflux and epilepsy, while 11-year-old Jenny-Lee suffers from severe respiratory distress syndrome.

Dawn, aged 29, from Bucknall, said: "Caudwell Children has bought lots of equipment for Owen, like walkers, standing frames and wheelchairs, and Jenny-Lee has had nebulisers."

Hollins Building, in Stoke, gives support to families across the country. It provides specialist equipment, life-saving treatments and holidays for families caring for a terminally-ill child.

It was originally established by John Caudwell as part of the Caudwell Group. But since he sold his empire in 2006, the charity has stood alone. Mr Caudwell donates a sum each year which covers the organisation's running costs, but all the money spent on helping children comes from other donations.

Mrs Beswick said: "Many of the charity's major benefactors who live outside North Staffordshire are requesting that their donations are spent on children in their home town.

"If the people of Staffordshire don't support us, we will eventually run out of money to provide vital support for sick and disabled children in our own city."

Since 2000, Caudwell Children has given out £10 million and helped thousands of children.

Jackie Griffiths knows how important it is that Caudwell Children gets the donations it needs. Her nine-year-old daughter Tilly, who has spinal muscular atrophy, was given a new lease of life by two wheelchairs provided by the charity.

Jackie, aged 48, from Cheddleton, said: "Caudwell Children gave Tilly her first powered wheelchair when she was three, which cost £11,500.

"Then when she got too big for it she had her current chair which will see her through to high school. It was £20,000.

"People should be encouraged to donate to the Caudwell Children because, as John Caudwell covers all the running costs, it mean that every penny donated goes to help the children."

Dawn Rollason's children Owen and Jenny-Lee, pictured, have also received support from Caudwell Children.

Owen, aged seven, has cerebral palsy, severe reflux and epilepsy, while 11-year-old Jenny-Lee suffers from severe respiratory distress syndrome.

Dawn, aged 29, from Bucknall, said: "Caudwell Children has bought lots of equipment for Owen, like walkers, standing frames and wheelchairs, and Jenny-Lee has had nebulisers."