STANDARD readers have ensured our appeal to help keep the Hospice of the Good Shepherd going during the coronavirus crisis is off to a great start.

The much-loved hospice in Backford announced the shocking news earlier this week that it faces the prospect of running out of money as donations from fundraising had dried up as a result of the lockdown and people self-isolating.

New restrictions on people's daily lives mean the hospice cannot hold any fundraising activities and have had to close its five charity shops across Chester and Ellesmere Port.

It's anticipated there will be at least a £1.1 million shortfall for this year.

The Hospice of the Good Shepherd provides its services free of charge to its patients and only receives 24 per cent of its funding from statutory sources. The remaining 76 per cent is raised from a range of fundraising activities and the support of its community.

Supporters of the hospice have already raised thousands in response to the appeal, and we have launched our own parallel fundraising campaign, calling on readers to donate via our online funding page.

And within just 48 hours of it being set up, over £800 has been raised thanks to the generous donations from more than 50 people.

We're aiming to run the campaign for as long as it takes and hope readers can give even in these difficult, uncertain times.

See tomorrow's Chester Standard and Ellesmere Port Standard for more on the appeal and why you should donate.

To pledge support, visit our funding page at www.gofundme.com/f/standardsaveyourhospice .

People looking to donate by telephone can call the hospice direct on 01244 851811.

The Hospice of the Good Shepherd provides end-of-life care to patients living with life-limiting illness from Chester, West Cheshire and Ellesmere Port.

They provide a 10 bedded in-patient unit, a Living Well Centre which provides day support to help patients maintain their independence and to stay at home longer as well as bereavement support for both adults and children across the catchment area whether or not the death of their loved one was connected to the hospice.