AN EMERGENCY appeal has raised more than £140,000.

The appeal, launched by St Peter & St James Hospice, which featured a plea from a nurse on its Inpatient Ward, was shared across the community.

The nurse, Claire Birnage, urged people to give generously to help the charity, based in North Chailey, to get it through the “biggest challenge in its history’” and future proof its services.

Ms Birnage said: “I’m incredibly proud to do a job that I absolutely love, and to work with such wonderful colleagues.

“It also feels very important to say that nurses like me would not be able to do this job without people like you, particularly during these tough times.

“So thank you for donating towards our vital services, for ensuring I can be there for vulnerable local families and thank you especially for the endless love and reassurance you have given us.

“You have really kept us going over these past weeks.”

The charity receives limited government funding and offers a range of expert support for adults living with a terminal illness, as well as their families, in Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Lewes, Uckfield and the surrounding towns and villages.

Barbara Williams, chief executive at the hospice, said: “Local people have been simply phenomenal to us during these testing times.

“As well as generous monetary donations, we’ve been sent PPE, food donations, toiletries for patients, and thoughtful gifts for our frontline staff.”

You can support St Peter & St James Hospice through this crisis by donating online at /stpjhospice.org/donate/.

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund