When a local charity faces a £75,000 gap, the whole business community should pay attention

A £75,000 funding shortfall can sound like a large, distant number. For Megan Baker House (a charity in TOP Club Tewkesbury), it is a much more immediate question: can it raise the money by the end of 2026 and avoid cutting services that children and adults rely on? The BBC has reported on the appeal.

Based in Ledbury, Megan Baker House supports people with movement disorders, including cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s, stroke and acquired brain injury. Its conductive education sessions help people practise skills and build greater independence in daily life. The charity serves families across our part of the country, making this a local concern for businesses in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Shropshire.

Why is the money needed?

The charity says it heavily subsidises every conductive education session to keep the cost lower for those attending. The difference has to be found elsewhere. That makes fundraising part of how the service operates, rather than an optional extra.

The reported £75,000 gap means its expected income will not cover what it needs to continue delivering services at their current level. We should be careful about claiming a single cause for Megan Baker House’s shortfall without a detailed breakdown from the charity. What is clear is the consequence it has set out: if the gap is not filled by year end, services could be cut.

There is a difficult financial equation behind many specialist charities. Skilled staff, suitable premises and regular sessions cost money whether or not a family can afford the full price. Lowering the price makes support accessible, but it also means the charity needs reliable donations and other funding to cover the difference. A brilliant service can therefore face financial trouble while demand for it remains strong.

A wider problem behind one local appeal

Megan Baker House’s situation reflects pressure across the charity sector. The Charities Aid Foundation estimates that the British public donated £14 billion in 2025, while its research points to a long decline in the number of people giving. The Charity Commission reports that 41% of charities in its latest annual-return analysis spent more than they received in 2024; smaller charities had particularly narrow margins. These figures do not explain Megan Baker House’s accounts, but they show why a funding gap at a local charity should be taken seriously.

There is also a timing problem. A charity needs dependable income to employ people and plan sessions months ahead. Donations often arrive in bursts: after an appeal, an event or a moving story. An occasional gift is valuable, but regular support gives a charity something more useful for planning: confidence about next month’s income.

That matters to local businesses too. When specialist support is reduced, the need does not disappear. Families still need help. People living with neurological conditions still want opportunities to develop skills, stay active and connect with others. The effect of losing a service reaches well beyond the charity’s balance sheet.

What can SMEs do?

No single small business needs to solve a £75,000 gap. Shared across a business community, the target looks different: 30 businesses giving £100 a month for a year would contribute £36,000. It is an illustration, not a fundraising pledge, but it shows the value of modest, sustained commitments.

There are practical ways to help:

• Donate directly to Megan Baker House, either once or regularly.
• Ask the charity what support it needs most before offering a service, equipment or staff time.
• Introduce its team to businesses, trusts or individuals who may be able to help.
• Give the appeal space in your company newsletter, workplace or networking club.
• If you can commit to ongoing support, consider whether a monthly contribution fits your budget.

The strongest response starts by listening to the charity. Money may be the most useful gift today; a well matched business introduction may open a lasting source of support tomorrow.

At TOP Networking, we talk about building relationships that lead to real support. This is a chance for the SME community to put that principle to work. Please take a few minutes to learn about Megan Baker House, share its appeal and consider what your business can contribute.

Local causes become stronger when local businesses decide they are part of the community’s future. Let’s make sure Megan Baker House knows it is not facing this challenge alone.