Raleigh International closes due to ‘increased economic pressures’

International volunteering charity Raleigh International Trust has ceased operations after being advised it is insolvent, following a raft of funding cuts and Covid related delays to its programmes.

The charity is entering into voluntary liquidation, all staff have been made redundant and future expeditions abroad for volunteers are cancelled.

“Regrettably, the combination of dramatically reduced funding and foreign aid, plus the legacy of two years of delayed or cancelled programmes, due to the Covid-19 global pandemic and its associated overseas travel restrictions, have had an irreversible impact,” said the charity in a statement.

“We appreciate this news will come as a devastating blow to our volunteers and supporters.

“The team at Raleigh International are extremely proud of the positive impact we have made over the years to help communities across the world and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone – from volunteers and staff to communities, project partners and funders – who have supported our work.”

The charity was launched more than 40 years ago and has placed more than 55,000 young people on sustainable development programmes.

“However, despite our team’s intensive fundraising efforts, continuous hard work and ongoing cost-saving measures in the face of increased economic pressures, we have been advised that the charity is insolvent,” the charity added.

Its statement adds that volunteers and volunteer managers are being contacted in the “coming days and weeks”.

While the Trust is inclusive of Raleigh Nepal, Raleigh Nicaragua, Raleigh Tanzania and Raleigh Costa Rica each have independent status “and we are currently exploring the future viability of them operating without Raleigh International Trust”, adds the statement.

The Trust is also looking into working with partners to continue its Re:Green programme in Scotland this summer.

According to latest accounts, for the year ending December 2020, Raleigh International Trust’s total expenditure was £5.02m, however its income was only £3.89m.