In a tough economy, raising money for charities is challenging and the Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children is finding it even more difficult this year.

As it heads into its annual telethon, the home is facing a barrage of abuse allegations dating back decades, which is causing some volunteers to think twice about helping out this year.

“We are the granddaddy of telethons, we are 81 years old,” says HRM councillor and NSHCC board member David Hendsbee. “Anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 a year.”

The money helps with operational costs at the Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children. However, recent allegations of abuse at the home could have an impact on the telethon’s financial success this year.

"Too soon to tell,” says Hendsbee. “Our donations and pledges are still coming in at a steady pace."

Hugo Levesque studies media arts at the Nova Scotia Community College’s Waterfront Campus.

Levesque will be in charge of the production aspect of the telethon. Last week before signing on with the show, the students met with the NSHCC board members.

"We had many questions,” says Levesque. “One that I posed was where is the funds coming from to fight the legal dispute?’"

If the students learned money raised from the telethon was targeted for legal fees, they would have walked away from the event.

“We would have not gone through with this," says Levesque.

"We assured them any money from telethons go toward improvements for kids’ care," says Hendsbee.

Percy Paris, Nova Scotia Minister of African Nova Scotia Affairs, agrees children are the first priority.

"I don't think anyone would want to see people of today that need help be denied help.”

With files from CTV Atlantic's Paul Hollingsworth