Top charities appeal to Blair not to steal their Lottery cash
Charities today voiced their fears about the rising cost of the 2012 Olympics hitting the country's most needy communities.
They fear National Lottery funds will be further raided to pay for the Games, robbing charities of badly needed funds.
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Today seven of the country's most important voluntary organisations called on Tony Blair to ensure that further National Lottery funds are not diverted away from good causes to pay for the increasing costs of the Games.
In an open letter to the Government they said: "A further diversion of more than £900 million would be disastrous for good causes, including charities, community groups and social enterprises.
"It will create insecurity, uncertainty and will threaten our work with some of the most disadvantaged and excluded individuals communities in our society.
"The voluntary and community sector is a vital partner in the Games. The Government must therefore safeguard Lottery funding."
Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell has admitted the budget for building the Olympics infrastructure has risen by £900 million to £3.3 billion.
Only days ago the National Audit Office criticised ministers for failing to decide how to split funding between the Treasury, the National Lottery and local taxpayers in London.
