An 18-year-old international aid charity based in Reading has gone into liquidation, blaming a 45 per cent drop in donations over two years. 

Global Hearts for Children, which sends aid packages to countries in long-term need or hit by famine or disaster, was closed down by its trustees last week.

A solitary statement on its website remains, reading: "Global Hearts for Children regret to have to tell you that Global Hearts for Children has gone into liquidation. The current level of donations are not covering our operating costs and the board of trustee’s felt that we could no longer continue to operate.

"On behalf of Global Hearts for Children but more importantly the children we served, thank you."

Global Hearts for Children was formerly known as Feed the Children until it underwent a name change in April this year. Home Secretary Theresa May, a patron of the charity unveiled the new logo.  

Its most recent accounts show an income drop of almost £1m from £4.3m in 2010 to £3.5m in 2011. It spent almost as much as it earned in both years and had no reserves.

The charity's chief executive Brian Main told the Reading Chronicle: "The amount of fundraising has nearly halved in two years, but we recognise that fundraising is getting harder because people have less disposable income. 

"I'm sad and disappointed for the people who work and volunteer here, and the people we have helped overseas to turn their lives around and become self-sufficient. I am sorry we have let them down".

The charity had six full-time members of staff.