WILLOWBROOK Hospice has expressed its gratitude for the support of residents throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

The latest lockdown has once again forced the closure of the hospice’s nine charity shops - and main stream of income.

Since March 2020, the shops have been closed for a total amounting to almost six months.

The pandemic has also meant Willowbrook’s fundraising team had to come up with ways to ensure its events calendar remains Covid-safe, including taking its annual Light Up A Life service online.

Despite these setbacks, Willowbrook’s corporate director Alun Owen says he remains 'hopeful' because of the overwhelming support the community has shown.

The much-loved hospice provides free palliative care to people with life-limiting illnesses and those in the final days of their life. It also offers services to help support the carers and families of its patients, including bereavement services.

Since it was established in 1997 following an impressive community fundraising drive, the hospice has cared for more than 10,000 patients.

The cost of running the hospice is around £400,000 every month, or £5 million a year, the majority of which comes from donations.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Alun Owen said: “We’ve seen a real positive impact from the community. What [the pandemic] has shown is that local support is long-term and not just a one-off - people really do want to help us.

“It has been quite challenging. Our staff are furloughed, and we’ve lost a lot of volunteers permanently because they’re not able to come in or are caught up with looking after family, with the schools being sporadically open.

"We’re hoping to reopen our shops in May but we still don’t know whether that’ll be possible.

“At the moment we’re trying to expand our online sales so that while our shops remain closed, we can still raise money.

"We’re also trying to involve the community - it would be interesting to know if people would like us to sort out takeaway afternoon teas, for example, for Mother’s Day.

“We want to let people know we’re still here, that we’re not giving up, but we still need support to keep going.”

He also praised the work of the St Helens Clinical Commissioning Group, which has been 'fantastic' in finding ways to support Willowbrook.

While the hospice has been awarded several government grants for hospices and small businesses, that funding stream is set to end in March.

To help combat the financial impact of the pandemic, Willowbrook has set up virtual shops on Amazon and eBay.

Shoppers keen to support the hospice can order online and have items shipped to their doors.

Willowbrook also hopes to launch its new Compassionate Neighbours scheme in April, beginning with a pilot scheme in Prescot and Whiston. Restrictions allowing, the scheme will see volunteers matched with vulnerable members of the community to provide friendship, support and practical help.

“Anyone who’s lonely, isolated, or has a life-limiting condition can be referred to the scheme,” Owen added.

“Volunteers will be trained and matched to someone with similar interests or hobbies to befriend them, do some low-level shopping for them, or just help them set up a Zoom call to speak to friends and family.

“If anyone thinks they’d benefit from a Compassionate Neighbour we’d love to hear from them.”

2022 will mark Willowbrook’s 25th anniversary - and Alun is determined the hospice will make it through to celebrate it.

“What’s really important for us is to say thank you to the community,” he said. “We navigated our way through last year, and we want to make sure we’re still here next year.”

You can support Willowbrook Hospice by making a donation, entering the weekly Hospice Lottery, or visiting the online shops on eBay or Amazon.