HOSPICECARE bosses have predicted the charity will lose a quarter of a million pounds during the second national lockdown.

Weldmar Hospicecare, an end of life care provider for people living in Dorset, has been forced to close all 24 of its charity shops in line with government rules, and bosses fear the loss of income could be up to £250,000.

Director of retail Gavin Anderson-Terry said: "November is traditionally a busy time as Christmas shopping really begins to ramp up, even for those of us in the charity retail sector.

"We find that lots of people come to us for their more unusual gifts, Secret Santa presents and fashion for Christmas parties and get togethers so it is a really challenging time to be closed.

"It's massive for us, with 24 retail sites to close, and staff to put back onto furlough."

Weldmar Hospicecare needs to raise more than £18,000 each day to continue to fund the free of charge service it offers to users. Despite the predicted loss of income over the next month, bosses are keen to emphasise that there will be no impact to the care that the charity will offer its patients.

Mr Anderson-Terry said: "While the loss of turnover is certainly significant, it will not affect our patient services at all.

"We are committed to continuing providing outstanding end of life care, both for patients being looked after at home, and those in our inpatient unit in Dorchester."

The charity suffered with fly-tipping during the first lockdown as people abandoned items they wished to donate outside the front of Weldmar shops - and bosses have now urged people to wait until doors reopen in December to donate items because the shops won't be manned.

Mr Anderson-Terry said: "We are asking people not to leave any donations at any of our charity shops as there won't be anyone there to take them in.

"Please keep any items aside and bring them in once we have re-opened on the allotted day of the week that your local shops is accepting donations."

He added: "It is important that the local community continues to stand by us, so I would hope people will come back and shop with us once lockdown ends."