Bosses at Morda's Hope House Children’s Hospice say the Welsh national lockdown is a further blow to its revenue streams.

The charity, which also runs Tŷ Gobaith in Conwy, has already suffered a drop of more than £1.25 million in income from fundraisers since April.

News that it must now close its six charity shops in Wales until November 9 will add to these losses at a time when the hospices’ services are as vital as ever.

Chief executive Andy Goldsmith explained that both hospices have remained open during the pandemic, delivering vital care and support to terminally ill local children and their families.

He said: “We have made it a priority to provide end of life care, care after death and crisis care, while developing new virtual hospice services via online platforms, phone and post to ensure support is there for children, siblings and families who are sheltering at home.

“Our services usually cost in the region of £500,000 a month to provide and most of that cost is usually met via donations, fundraising, our lottery and our shop sales.

“But, with more shop closures and all but virtual fundraising events cancelled for the rest of this year we are experiencing an unprecedented fall in income at a time when we are facing additional costs such as the need for full PPE to nurse the children safely.”

Mr Goldsmith added that September had been the first month that all 14 of the charity’s shops across the region had opened, having been reorganised and fitted out to be Covid compliant and safe for customers, volunteers and staff.

They also returned a small profit for the first time since before the initial lockdown, recording a total of £750,000 in lost income.

To donate or take part in its lottery, head to www.hopehouse.org.uk, or call the fundraising office on 01691 671671.