A hospice is appealing for help as it faces a financial crisis and could close its doors during the coronavirus pandemic.

Richard House Children’s Hospice in Beckton admits they will have to cut services and are facing extreme shortages of income during the pandemic, despite their efforts to continue as normal.

The hospice is currently taking children with long term conditions away from hospitals to free up NHS beds and create a safer environment for the children.

But due to the hospice closing their six charity shops, cancelling fundraising events and postponing activities, there is a lack of income to support the hospice.

The hospice is now restructured to prioritise those most in need for end-of-life care as they struggle to keep up their services.

A spokesperson said: “The stark reality is, if we don’t receive financial support in the coming weeks or months, we could face having to stop providing end-of-life and emergency respite care too.

“And with the pressures facing the NHS, our services for those most vulnerable in our community are needed now more than ever.

“Without our hospice, the families we support will simply have nowhere left to turn.”

The hospice admits that “things are tougher than imagined” and that they could soon close their doors if not enough donations are made.

They have also released a video to show the importance of the hospice and the lives it has touched.

To donate to the hospice, visit their JustGiving page here.