South West hospices appeal for help to cover lack of funding due to coronavirus
They are there for us in times of crisis and now bosses of hospices across the South West are appealing to us not to forget them.
Covid-19 has forced them to close shops and cancel fundraising events.
St Peter's Hospice, which is based in Bristol, has shut 51 shops across the area.
Meanwhile, Hospiscare in Devon predicts the charity will lose a million pounds in the next three months due to the pandemic.
Staff at St Peter's Hospice know all about extreme pressure and helping people at the most difficult time of their lives.
But this is different even for them.
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All 15 beds are currently in use at St Peter's, although the majority of their work takes place in the community.
Their shops are vital for raising funds for this work and all 51 have had to close.
It is the same for Hospiscare in Devon who say the closure of their shops and the cancellation of fundraising events will cost them over one million pounds over the next three months.
Bosses say they will do all they can to make certain these crucial services remain in place.
Meanwhile Dorothy House near Bath is asking for volunteer support during the emergency.
They already have a strong team of existing volunteers but this will allow their doctors and nurses to focus care where they are needed most.
Volunteers could be asked to help remotely by keeping in contact with patients, or by dropping off supplies.