A HOSPICE has said it will have to cut care if it does not receive a boost in funding in the next three months.

Ellenor Lions Hospices, which has bases in Northfleet and Dartford, needs £200,000 to ensure it can continue providing the same level of service to its patients.

If it does not receive the funds soon it may have to cut back on its provision.

The shortfall comes as the level of donations it receives has dropped and some businesses have had to pull their financial support.

Chief executive Carol Stone said: "We have had to cancel a number of events we would normally get money from.

"We are reviewing spending but as most is spent on paying the salaries of care staff, it is difficult to do a lot without reducing care.

"We do not want patients to suffer and we do not want to alarm people. We are hopeful we won’t have to withdraw services."

See the Gravesend and Dartford Messengers next week for a full report on the situation and details of how you can help.