Ms Hannigan explained the workings of the volunteer run organisation and said a total of $46,000 was given to local people in need during last financial year.

“Last year we raised $25,000, resulting in us having to draw on reserves for the shortfall for the first time in the branch’s 22-year history,” said Ms Hannigan.

“The final question of ‘where to from here?’ is of grave concern to our branch.

“Many of our volunteers are tired, having worked so hard for so long to raise money locally to help locals – only to see huge amounts of money going out of town from Cancer Council’s ‘Relay For Life’ from which CanAssist received nothing.

“The ability of our branch to raise $50,000 this year just got a lot harder after a meeting with Cancer Council here on Monday where they informed us they will be operating a shopfront in Young by July 2010.

“The difficulty people have differentiating between CanAssist and Cancer Council is obvious in any discussion with donors, and Cancer Council will be competing for a share of the charity dollar that is already difficult under current drought and financial circumstances,” Ms Hannigan said.

Ms Hannigan thanked council for their offer for CanAssist to be a part of the Healthy Shires Committee but said patients beginning the cancer journey need money now and those donating money need to know the money is staying local and all of it is going directly to those in need.