Charity 'feels the pinch' of higher energy prices

Charity 'feels the pinch' of higher energy pricesJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleLeigh MilnerLondonBBCShane Dorsett, from The Felix Project, says the charity is feeling the effects of higher energy and fuel prices because of the conflict in the Middle East"We have big chillers that hold all of our chilled and frozen food across the city, where we'll see increased prices. We will feel a pinch and so will our charity partners downstream."Shane Dorsett, chief operating officer at The Felix Project, said the food redistribution charity was feeling the effects of higher energy and fuel prices because of the conflict in the Middle East.The price of oil has soared since the Strait of Hormuz - through which 20% of the world's oil trade passes through - was effectively blocked.Across the UK, average petrol prices have reached around £1.52 a litre, about 20p higher than at the start of the conflict. Diesel has risen to just over £1.82.That means filling up a typical family car now costs roughly £10 more for petrol and more than £21 extra for diesel.Last year, The Felix Project rescued 18,000 tonnes of surplus food from more than 200 suppliers and delivered it to about 1,200 community organisations across London.Dorsett said: "We've got 60 vans out on the road, so we have concerns there."Business owner Ella Rauen-Prestes said the focus was "simply survival"Fitbakes, a bakery based in Paddington which has products stocked in more than 2,000 supermarkets, said rising costs were making things tougher.Its founder Ella Rauen-Prestes said after years of steady growth, the focus right now was "simply survival"."I am seeing businesses like ours that started with us, 90% of them [are] folding," she said."And I think we just, we found different ways to cope."Businesses and charities such as the Felix Project are calling for government support while the situation in the Middle East continues.O...