Plans by Britain's banks to abolish cheques by 2018 could "spell disaster" for many of the country's charities, according to the Institute of Fundraising.
In late 2009 members of the Payments Council voted to set a provisional target of 2018 for the abolition of cheques - which have seen declining popularity in recent years - with a review scheduled for 2016.
However, the decision provoked widespread concern, with consumer groups, small businesses and charitable organisations all raising objections.
Last month parliament's Treasury select committee reopened its probe into the plans, claiming it had been "inundated with letters".
In its response to the select committee's call for evidence (the deadline for which passed on Friday), the Institute of Fundraising has warned that the plans could be disastrous for charities, some of which receive up to 80% of their income through cheques.
Louise Richards, director of policy and campaigns at the institute, claims that despite claims to the contrary, the Payments Council, views the phasing out of cheques as inevitable, citing the imminent abolition of the cheque guarantee card, which is set to go in June.
"Banks may use the abolition of the cheque guarantee system to say that fewer people are using cheques, as no retailer will take them. But this doesn't mean that there's less demand for cheques, rather that a decision has been taken away from consumers and charity donors," says Richards.
Speaking to the BBC, the Payments Council's Sandra Quinn stressed that the 2018 deadline is only a target and viable alternatives - such as mobile payments - must be in place by 2016 if the plans are to go ahead, vowing that "we won't get rid of cheques unless alternatives work".