One of Queen Camilla’s patron charities has been forced to make a difficult decision in the face of ongoing “financial pressures.”
The Prospect Hospice, which provides end-of-life care for people across North Wiltshire, has been supported by the Queen since she became its president in 2013.
This week, the charity confirmed it will close one of its shops.
In a statement, the charity said: “The decision to close has not been an easy one, but continued financial pressures across the charity sector, including rising costs and changing shopping habits, mean Prospect Hospice has to focus our resources where they can have the greatest impact on funding patient care.”
Queen Camilla’s charity forced to close shop amid ‘financial pressures’
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The Marlborough High Street store will shut its doors on Saturday, September 6.
Stuart Necrews, Head of Commercial Income at Prospect Hospice, added: “We are so thankful to the staff, volunteers, donors and customers who have supported this shop over the years.
"Closing the doors is not a decision we wanted to make, but it is a necessary one to ensure we can continue providing outstanding care to local people at the end of their lives.”
Queen Camilla most recently visited Prospect Hospice in Wroughton, Swindon, in January.
Queen Camilla has been the charity's patron since 2013
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She met patients, staff, and CEO Jeremy Lune alongside Lord Lieutenant Dame Sarah Troughton, before unveiling a commemorative plaque to mark the hospice’s anniversary.
During the visit, the Queen gave an impromptu speech about the importance of hospice care nationwide.
“Every time I come here, I come away feeling so impressed and feeling so lucky actually, that Wiltshire has something like this to look after people who are at the end of their life,” she said.
Later, she acknowledged the challenges facing charities and hospices across the country: “As I’ve said time and time again, I wish we could clone these places because there aren’t nearly enough.
The Prospect Hospice was founded in 1980 and provides care for around 3,000 patients each year
|PA
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“We just have to keep them going, I know a lot of people help out but we need a lot more help than that.”
The Prospect Hospice was founded in 1980 and provides care for around 3,000 patients each year.
It operates several charity shops across Wiltshire to help fund its services.
Queen Camilla has been a long-standing supporter of hospice care, regularly visiting facilities across the UK in her role as patron.