Hope House Children’s Hospice has received a cash boost from Shrewsbury shop Pied Piper, which sells children’s clothing and accessories in Milk Street. It has pledged to donate a portion of its sales profits during the run-up to Christmas. This week Caroline Francis, co-partner of Pied Piper, presented £200 to Vanessa Lloyd, left, of the hospice.

People across Shropshire and Mid Wales have pulled out the stops to raise funds for a county charity at the start of 2009 – but bosses today said a tough year is to come.

Hope House Children’s Hospices saw general donations fall by almost a third at the end of last year although supporters poured in cash during January.

Thanks to the funds raised the charity is not considering any cuts, although the situation will be kept under “constant review”.

Fundraising manager Vanessa Lloyd said donations made by the public, firms, schools and organisations was just over £60,000. 

She said: “Our regular supporters worked tirelessly over the Christmas period to raise donations to send to us in January. 

“Friends groups were out collecting, and Rotary clubs excelled with their annual trees of light. Community groups sang carols, schools performed concerts, there was a big increase in the number of individuals and companies choosing to make donations in lieu of sending Christmas cards, and the sponsorship from our Oswestry Starlit Santa Run continue to arrive. 

“We realise we were extremely fortunate during January but signs are that February is already more difficult.” 

She added: “The challenge now will be to raise the remainder of the £4 million we need to ensure Hope House Children’s Hospices can continue to provide care and support to the 350 families across Shropshire, Mid Wales, North Wales and Cheshire who have a child suffering from terminal illness.”