A HOSPICE has launched an urgent appeal after it was forced to close charity shops.

St Luke’s Hospice in Winsford is looking for more volunteers.

It comes after the charity was left with no choice but to close several of its shops on some of their busiest days, resulting in a loss of up to £8,000 in sales each month.

The hospice is now appealing for people willing to give up a few hours each week to volunteer at one of its nine shops or warehouse.

Steven Holmes, St Luke’s retail operations manager, said: “Our shops play a vital role in generating funds to support and sustain our hospice services.

“Sadly, we are currently losing around £8,000 a month in potential sales due to us being forced to close some shops on certain days of the week.

“This is devastating as this amount is enough to fund the hospice for a whole day!

“This includes all our services from the inpatient unit to day hospice, family support and counselling.”

He added: “With an increasing demand for our services, we are in urgent need of additional retail volunteers who can help us make a difference and continue to be a vital part of the community.

“If you have some time to spare and would like to support the Hospice then please get in touch, we would be so very grateful.”

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Norma Sproston has volunteered at the Winsford shop for nine years, following her husband’s cancer diagnosis.

She said: "I have always volunteered for various charities, but after the incredible support from St Luke's that both myself and my husband received following his diagnosis with prostate cancer, I just wanted to give something back to St Luke's.

“Everyone gets on so well here, and it's a lovely place to come every week."

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St Luke’s is looking for volunteers who are able to commit around four hours each week on a regular basis.

To find out more, contact Adelle Gillet at adelle.gillet@slhospice.co.uk or by calling 01606 551246.