CHARITIES in Bromsgrove are feeling the pinch after donations were hit by the popularity of the tsunami disaster appeal fund.

Donations to some charities seem to have been put on the back burner while aid is rushed to Asia and its desperate people.

A charity casino night to raise funds for the Bromsgrove branch of the Leukaemia Research Fund was cancelled last week after a poor turn out.

A spokesman for the charity said: "This does not normally happen. We usually get a good response to this and other events. The tsunami appeal has definitely had an effect.

"It is really good and very encouraging the amount of help people are giving the tsunami appeal but people are still dying of leukaemia and we need to keep on fighting."

Even though there has been no effect as yet a spokesman for the Primrose Hospice said the charity may well feel it within the next three or four months.

"There was a similar effect when Princess Diana died but it picked back up again shortly after. It is not a worry.

"Local people have been giving generously and I am sure they will continue to do so."

However, not all charities have felt the effects of the nationwide tsunami focus.

Jon Rayner, Worcestershire organiser for Macmillan Cancer Relief, said: "We have not yet noticed a difference. The money is still rolling in."

A spokesman for the Bromsgrove branch of the Salvation Army added: "We have noticed extra collectors around town for the tsunami appeal when we have been out collecting but it did not seem to make much of a difference. I am sure people will continue to give to their usual charities."

christopher.flavell@midlands.

newsquest.co.uk