// BBC BUSINESS NEWS — FINANZA
'We must keep going' says charity hit by fuel prices
Alex Wood (R) says Yeovil Freewheelers are having to fundraise more to keep going
Businesses and charities are being hit by spiralling fuel prices caused by the Iran war.
Last week, diesel prices reached an all-time high and are now about £2 a litre after rising more than 40% since the end of February, with petrol prices climbing nearly 34% in that period.
BBC analysis has identified the most expensive fuel stations across the West, as prices vary across more urban and rural areas.
Alex Wood, from charity Freewheelers which delivers medical supplies, said it has had to dip into reserves to keep afloat. Somerset-based Berry's Coaches has called on the government to freeze fuel duty next year after their fuel costs increased by half since the Middle East conflict began.
Petrol prices have increased by 8% to 174.8p per litre in the past month, while diesel has risen by 9% to 200.1p per litre.
But in the seven months since the US-Israel conflict with Iran erupted, the jump is even bigger - a nearly 34% increase for petrol and more than 40% for diesel.
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In real terms, this is an extra 42.5p per litre of petrol and 59p per litre of diesel.
There is variation between different stations in the West too - sometimes as much as 11p per litre for petrol - even if you discount motorway service stations that typically charge a premium.