A charity that works with parents of seriously ill children says the public has donated 9-times the money they have received from the government since they were set up.

A number of charity groups have revealed the challenges they are facing in recent days.

Children’s charity Barnardos has shut its doors for a week to save costs while the ISPCC revealed its staff are taking unpaid leave to save money.

The Jack and Jill Foundation says closing down for a set period is not an option for them.

Chief Executive Jonathan Irwin says they could not survive without the help of the public.

He told Breakfast here on Newstalk his views on the Barnardos move.