A HOSPICE boss has warned against a bleak future unless it can replace vital funds that have been lost through the closure of its eleven charity shops.

David Smith, Chief Executive of Teesside Hospice, warned that the charity's doctors, nurses and staff still had to be paid despite running on heavily reduced funds.

He told The Northern Echo that he was unsure "what the hospice" would look like once the coronavirus pandemic had peaked and was under control.

The charity, which is based in Middlesbrough and provides end-of-life care for up to ten people, was forced to temporarily close its charity shops in the interests of health and safety.

According to Mr Smith, about 70 percent of the charity's income had been generated through its eleven high street charity shops on Teesside.

But suggesting that the hospice would be 'at capacity' as the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the region, Mr Smith said the charity would need to full support of the community.

He said: "We have been shoring up the hospice for when we believe that things will get worse with coronavirus.

"But we relied on our shops and fundraising which made up around 70 percent of our income.

"We are going into financial blackhole and I don't know what the hospice will look like at the end of this.

"We desperately need our support from the community while our stores are closed and we have no money coming in.

"We have doctors, nurses and other clinical specialists that have to be paid."

Urging members of the community to continue their support, Mr Smith said the hospice would need as much help as possible in the coming months.

It comes as Mr Smith issued warnings to members of the public to maintain social distancing measures in order to avoid further deaths.

He added: "People need to think not just about themselves but the people that are around them who may be at their most vulnerable."