A CHARITY which has supported hospital staff and patients for more than 60 years is at a “critical” risk of folding due to a lack of support.

Colchester League of Hospital and Community Friends was founded in 1954 with the aim of to buying vital medical and support equipment.

It raised in excess of £1million to purchase the hospital’s first CAT scanner.

The group also supports patients and staff, last year raising £20,000 to put towards the hospital’s new cancer centre and £100 for Christmas trees.

It raises money primarily through the group’s main shop, which was moved from its former home at the entrance to the hospital last year.

But the new shop, now sited to the left of the hospital entrance, has seen a drastic downturn in trade.

Director John Dobson said: “Where we had a location within the hospital, which inevitably gave us a good turnover, we now have been pushed to a point where we can no longer sustain ourselves, even without present Covid-19 problems.

“Even before Covid hit, in January, February and March, it was way down on where it should have been.”

The charity says a recent revamp of the entrance, which included bringing in big name brands such as Costa, has drawn custom away.

Shop manager Jane Smith said: “I think the real disappointing thing is the support from staff.

“When we closed the old shop and moved into a temporary portacabin a large number of staff said ‘We’ll still support you’, but you see them going into Costa now and paying at least £2.50 for a cup of coffee when it’s a £1 here for a member of staff.

“It’s the big brand name, Their coffee is no better than ours.”

Frank Jordan, chairman of the charity’s trustees, said the situation was critical.

The league also runs smaller shops in the hospital’s Gainsborough and Constable wings, the Elmstead day unit and primary care centre.

“In the last ten years, we have contributed about £500,000,” said Mr Jordan.

“The only outlet before they built the new entrance was this shop and the staff restaurant, but now people are far less reliant on us.

"Unless we can improve our turnover, we will close.”

A spokeswoman for the hospital trust said: “We completely appreciate the challenging times that all our retailers are facing across the whole of our trust in the light of Covid-19.”