The Alexander Devine children's hospice will stay open and active throughout the third national lockdown.

The recently opened hospice at Snowball Hill provides a lifeline to children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.

Many parents have distressing memories of the first lockdown when the hospice shut its doors for three months.

ALSO VIEW: MBEs for two medical heroes battling Covid-19 in Slough

Since then the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service charity that built the hospice has brought in social distancing and infection prevention measures, that allowed it to continue welcoming children with life limiting conditions through its doors throughout the November lockdown.

It is continuing to do so now.

Fiona Devine, CEO and Co-Founder of the charity, said: “We have reached out to the families that depend on our services and the message is loud and clear – they need our support more than ever and we will continue to do all we can to alleviate the tremendous struggle and pressure many of them face in caring for a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. .

ALSO VIEW: Non-urgent operations cancelled at Wexham Park Hospital

"While Covid-19 remains a huge concern for us all, we will continue to follow strict safety measures to provide a safe environment at the hospice as well as when our team visits families in the community."

But the return of lockdown is expected to deliver another blow to the charity's fundraising capacity, as all its shops have had to close.

Fiona said: "As a charity that relies nearly entirely on donations and fundraising, this third lockdown is a huge blow.

"There is no doubt that it will have a significant impact on our fundraising activities and we remain reliant on the kindness and generosity of our community to help us fund our vital services.”

You can donate by visiting www.alexanderdevine.org/give