CHARITIES hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic following the cancellation of fundraising events and the closure of charity shops have issued a plea for help.

Swindon-based charity Prospect Hospice shut all its 17 shops, which help it raise more than £2 million each year.

Communications and marketing manager Helen Owen said its income streams “dried up overnight”.

She said: “The reality is that, unlike our wonderful NHS, we hospices rely heavily on local donations, and our usual sources of income are suddenly just not there. Without the money coming it, we may need to take a serious look at how we’re able to support those who need us in our local community.

“We are continuing to provide end-of-life care and are drawing on our reserves to do so, but as we all know you can’t live on capital indefinitely. Ultimately we need the financial support from local people.”

The charity is still receiving some donations from members of the public to help it offer its services.

“One man even said he’s not spending money on petrol now, so he wanted us to have it as we need it more than him,” Helen said.

“We know these are difficult times for people and some regular givers have put their donations on hold while they work out their own situation.”

Prospect will be announcing new fundraising campaigns to allow people to support the charity without leaving their homes.

Helen added: “We’re treading the balance between providing patients with all the care they need and ensuring our staff are fully protected in their roles, but fortunately infection protection and control is a core part of our health care staff’s roles.

“However, funding will remain our biggest issue and, with our traditional means now not an option to us, the support of local people is quite literally vital to us.”

Jessie May Children’s Hospice at Home, a charity helping families all over Swindon, is struggling through the pandemic as fundraising opportunities, including money collections at supermarkets, and taking part in events including the London Marathon are no longer possible.

The charity has launched a new urgent appeal for donations to help continue its important work.

Jessie May CEO Chris Roys said the charity needs £200,000 to keep going during the next six months.

Chris added: “This coronavirus crisis is causing a huge amount of distress to our families with very vulnerable children.

“While our fundraising team is hard at work trying to recuperate some of the funds that we’re now missing out on due to the ongoing cancellation and postponement of events, there’s only so much that they can do on their own. Which is why we need your help.

“You can be the lifeline these families need. Your support is already so greatly appreciated, but if you’re able to spare any extra pennies or pounds you really will be helping families to continue receiving vital support.”

Uplands Enterprise Trust is hoping to get back to normal as soon as possible. The charity, which helps young people with disabilities, operates three shops across the town and had to furlough six retail workers.

Director Lisa Harding said: “We’ve had to close the shops and the loss of sales has been an instant financial hit. “It’s long term funding that could be a great challenge for us."

She added: “We have a business continuity plan as all organisations do at the moment, but we need to take a benchmark at a time.”

To support those in need Scrapstore Children’s Swindon have set up an online shop to deliver educational packs for children across Swindon.

CEO Olivia McCann said: “We are not getting any income in, so I 've set up an online shop to offer educational packs and resources for children because they are stuck at home.”

Olivia said the charity has already lost £10,000 income since it closed the store in Elgin Industrial Estate. She added: “I estimate that we will lose £60,000 income over the next three months. We need £80,000 to keep us going for six months.”

To support those charities, visit their websites.