Shropshire charity Severn Hospice today revealed it has fallen victim to the recession, with donations plummeting by almost a third in the last 12 months.

The news comes as the charity also revealed the number of people cared for at three sites across the county has soared by 48 per cent in the last five years and is set to rise further adding to the running costs.

It was also revealed that the charity is losing more members from its vital fundraising lottery than it is recruiting.

With sites in Shrewsbury, Telford and Newtown, Severn Hospice has been caring for terminal and seriously ill people from across Shropshire and Mid Wales for over 21 years.

But Severn Hospice community fundraising manager Lucy Proctor today maintained that despite a fall in general donations, the charity had been working tirelessly to make up the difference.

“Every charity across the country will have felt the impact of the credit crunch and the hospice is no different,” she added.

“We have found over the last 12 months, as people have become more conscious of how they spend their money, that general donations have fallen by more than 30 per cent.

“This fall in donations has meant we have had to look to other sources of income to make sure we get the money needed to run the hospice. Our network of shops has performed tremendously over the last 12 months and we are extremely grateful to all the people who continue to donate high quality goods for us to sell.

“Our hospice lottery had two record breaking bumper prize draws last year which helped enormously. However, we are currently losing more lottery members than we are recruiting and are actively campaigning to sign up new members to maintain membership levels. As it costs just £1 a week to take part in the lottery and there is a top prize of £2,000 each week, this remains an easy and fun way to support the hospice.”

Ms Proctor said that by taking part in events like a family bike ride or Midnight Walk or Dragon Boat Festival is a great way to help the hospice.

To find out more, call (01743) 354450 or (01952) 221351, or e-mail appeals@ severnhospice.org.uk

By Tracey O’Sullivan