A CHARITY has moved online to ensure it can continue to raise vital funds despite shops being closed during lockdown.

Havens Hospices was forced to close its 23 shops across Essex after the government announced the heightened restrictions earlier this month.

With Havens’ shops collectively raising more than £40,000 per week to help fund their specialist palliative nursing care and support for those living with complex or incurable conditions, the news of a second lockdown came as an initial blow.

However, the charity has expanded its online shopping platforms to ensure supporters can still make donations by purchasing items from the comfort of their own home.

Havens has launched an online shop on Depop, which specialises in unique, preloved and vintage fashion products, as well as on the buying and selling app Shpock.

The charity is also utilising and expanding its Ebay site to sell a broader range of good quality items.

Trevor Johnson, director of income generation at Havens, believes the move could prove to be vital during a year which has seen numerous fundraising events cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He said: “This past year has been a very different and challenging one for our charity.

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“On average, we are experiencing a 41 per cent decrease in fundraising income due to the pandemic, which has meant we have had to cancel public fundraising events and our shops were closed for over three months.

“We have had to adapt and expand our e-commerce during the pandemic so we can continue to raise vital funds for our hospice care.

“Shopping with us whether in our stores or online also provides more economical and environmentally friendly shopping choices for people.

“Selling online also helps us attract new customers.

“It’s never been easier for customers to support us from the comfort of their own home and we hope our local communities will still continue to shop with us safely during these uncertain times so we can continue raising vital funds for our care.”

Havens is offering delivery and click and collect services when ordering from Ebay, Depop or Shpock from its stores in Southchurch, Shoebury, Canvey and Grays.

To see what Havens has to offer online, head to ebay.co.uk/str/havenshospices and depop.com/havenshospices.