A Government funding boost for charities has been welcomed – but hospice bosses are urging the public to keep-up its support.

A package announced on Wednesday by Chancellor Rishi Sunak includes quarterly funding of £200 million to enable hospices to care for patients who would otherwise be in NHS hospitals.

Tracey Bleakley, chief executive officer of Hospice UK, says the money is welcome.

However, she adds it's important that people carry on supporting their local hospice.

"We are delighted that the Government is providing up to £200 million of funding per quarter to hospices to help support the NHS and respond to the Covid-19 emergency," she said.

"Hospices are on the frontline of providing care and support to almost a quarter of a million vulnerable people every year at the end of their lives.

"This unprecedented funding recognises the vital role that hospices play in supporting the NHS in its fight against Covid-19, and means hospices across the country can keep providing beds, specialist clinical care and staffing to relieve pressure on the NHS at this critical moment.

The announcement came shortly after it was revealed that Manorlands was facing closure within months due to a funding crisis.

Sue Ryder, which runs the Oxenhope hospice, said income had dried-up because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The charity, which relies on public donations to maintain its services, has had to close its shops and cancel fundraising events.

And with a potential funding gap of £12 million over the next three months, Sue Ryder warned that without immediate financial support it would be forced to shut its hospices and stop providing its other end-of-life services.

Calls for emergency funding from the Government had to that point drawn a blank, and the organisation issued a plea to the public for help.

An online appeal was set-up in a bid to save Manorlands and the charity's six other hospices, plus two neurological care centres, across the country.

Among those backing the appeal was Vicky Kaley, who knew first-hand all about the incredible care provided by Manorlands before her diagnosis in 2018 with metastatic breast cancer.

For she had worked at the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice for 15 years, as a nursing assistant.

Vicky, 49, spent a fortnight as an inpatient at Manorlands and receives regular visits from a Sue Ryder nurse.

During her time working at the hospice she carried out three years’ nursing training through the Open University, but had to step back from the course when she was first diagnosed.

Vicky has faced a number of other life-changing challenges in recent years, but said Manorlands had always been there to support her .

She said: “I had time off work in 2016 to nurse my dad before he died, then the following year I had a heart attack and didn’t think I would still be here after that.

“I then received a ‘re-diagnosis’ of metastatic breast cancer and on top of that was the main carer for my mum, who died in April last year.

“Luckily I have my husband, daughter and son to look after me and of course the Manorlands team, which is absolutely amazing.

“My Sue Ryder nurse is wonderful. If I have any problems, she gets me sorted. If there are ever any issues with my medication, she gets it put right straight away.

“Even the fundraising team has been amazing. One day I was told not to do anything, except that I had to be ready to go out. A few of my best friends picked me up and we went on a visit to the Emmerdale set. The fundraising team set that up for me!”

Vicky said her admission to the hospice as an inpatient was difficult, because she knew so many people there.

“It was quite a sudden thing – I was taken ill and my Sue Ryder nurse came out to see me at home and brought the doctor,” she said.

“I knew it would be hard to be an inpatient because I have got so many friends at Manorlands, but now I know if I had to go in again I have got past the worst bit. It was difficult at first but everyone came in to see me over a few days and I think we have all got past that barrier now.”

She added: “My first grandchild Lily was born last July and she is absolutely amazing. I honestly didn’t think I was going to be here for her arrival but now I’m looking at what other goals I can achieve.”