A charity based at Medway Maritime Hospital which helps to fund thousands of pounds of life-saving equipment is pleading for support following a dramatic loss in takings.

The League of Friends, which runs a shop and cafe in the reception area, has had to cut back to a counter services for visitors and patients since March, leading to a 75% fall in profits.

Only NHS staff and people working on site – including paramedics, police and contractors – are allowed inside the facilities.

Normally, the turnover would be generated by around 50% staff and 50% members of the public but this has swung from 95% employees to 5% outsiders.

The statistics have led to fears about the future of the charity which was founded 50 years ago and has a band of 150 volunteers, plus paid staff.

The group raises about £500,000 a year tax-free to help pay for vital medical equipment and services.

The Friends' operations manager Scott Belcher remains optimistic the charity will survive.

Mr Belcher and his retail manager have cut down to a four-day week to save money. He said: "We made a profit last month. But we do need people to support us. Although they can't come inside, they have a personal shopper which is not such a bad deal.

"We have been going 50 years and will not be going down while I'm in charge."

Mr Belcher said they had prepared for the change in working practice with full backing from Medway NHS Trust

He said volunteers and staff were treated as key workers and given the same access to Covid-19 testing.

He added: "We have had to change the way we operate to find ways of making money. For example, at the beginning we started selling pasta, bread and toilet rolls to those who could not get to the supermarkets.Our prime objective has always been to support the NHS."

He said he had to make the "devastating" decision to make some employees redundant and advise elderly, vulnerable helpers to stay at home.

Volunteer Alfie Ellis, 50, who suffers from mental and physical problems, said the Friends have been a lifeline to him.

The father-of four from Gillingham said: "Being in a hospital with all the restrictions, we are really feeling the pinch. The main thing we would like to get across is that we are open for business, but only staff are allowed in the shop, so we will serve the public at the door.

"We really do not want to lose this shop. I honestly believe I would not be here without it."

Opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm Sunday, 9am to 4pm.

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