A COUNCIL member has branded charity fundraisers “irresponsible” for knocking on doors in Newport late in the evening.

Langstone ward member on Newport City Council Cllr William Routley said he was concerned to hear reports of so-called ‘cold calling’ by Cancer Research UK fundraisers up until 9pm in the past few weeks.

The Conservative councillor, who was re-elected to the council in May this year having previously lost his seat in 2012, said he was worried some residents, particularly the elderly, may have been distressed by a knock at the door late into the evening.

“I’m not against fundraising, however a sensible approach must be applied,” he said.

“Anything that causes distress to the residents of Langstone is of concern to me.”

Under UK government law certain charities, including Cancer Research UK, do not require permission from the local authority to carry out ‘house-to-house collections’, and can do so until 9pm.

Cllr Routley said, while he supported the work of the charity, he was concerned they had “no respect” towards older people. “This has to stop,” he said. “Even though they are a recognised UK charity this type of cold calling is irresponsible.”

Head of individual giving at Cancer Research UK Kathryn Toner said: “We rely entirely on the generosity of the public as we receive no government funding for our life-saving research.

“Our work has been at the heart of the progress that has seen survival in the UK double in the last 40 years, and our mission is to ensure that three in four people survive their cancer for 10 years or more by 2034. To achieve this, we need to continue to raise vital funds for our research.

“One way we do this is through face-to-face fundraising, which enables us to fundraise, distribute key health messages and raise awareness of our work.

“Our door-to-door fundraisers work up until 9pm, in accordance with government guidelines, and we only work with specialist agencies whose fundraisers are trained extensively.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who donates regularly to Cancer Research UK because it allows us to plan for and invest in long-term research projects.”

For more on the charity call 0300 123 1022 or visit cancerresearchuk.org