Serious and genuine concerns are being raised in many quarters about the lack of money available to help

continue voluntary and charity work.

The annual lottery for cash is abhorrent, as we have stated many times. It does nothing for security and advance planning. Countless hours of time which could be much better used are spent chasing money to keep organisations going.

Half of the battle is knowing where to look for the money. Action is now being taken to address that issue.

Next week sees an informal meeting organised by Keighley Voluntary Services, Bradford Council and the National Lotteries Charities Board to tell voluntary and community groups how to apply for money.

An expert has recently been appointed to help organisations in the area get their fair share of Euro cash.

Parts of Keighley are for the first time eligible for a share of funding coming from Brussels to Bradford.

As KVS director Caroline Schwaller says, such meetings are an essential opportunity for local organisations to be told who can apply and how to apply.

The real impression given is that there's money available in a variety of amounts. The need is there, the volunteers are in place - the only thing lacking in a lot of cases is the knowledge of how to apply for the cash.

These opportunities must not be ignored.