A North Powys children's charity says it's grateful "from the bottom of their hearts" after an Oswestry firm stepped up to help pay for protective equipment.

Carbon monoxide alarm manufacturer Aico have teamed up with the Hope House children's charity to help cover the cost of personal protective equipment(PPE) as part of the charity's "Business Champion" scheme.

Hope House say they have had to take extra measures to make sure their hospices are Covid safe, with increased PPE required for their nurses and families, putting extra strain on their finances – an additional £78 per day.

Now the charity is inviting companies to become a "Business Champion" by donating £780 to cover the cost of ten days’ PPE for one child’s stay.

"Aico have given ongoing support to Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith Children’s Hospices for many years and in a variety of ways, through their Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, ‘Aico in the Community’, donating over £75,000 over the years through various causes," said a spokesperson for Aico.

"Hope House Children’s Hospices is a Centre of Excellence for children’s palliative care ensuring every family facing the death of a child gets the very best care and support when and where they need it. Aico are very proud to be recognised as a Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith Business Champion. "

The charity was formed in 1991 and for thirty years, families across Cheshire, Shropshire, Mid and North Wales have received bespoke and expert care, putting the needs of the child and their family at the heart of everything they do. Hope House provides care for children and support for their families, from diagnosis and continue for as long as they are able to, but all of this incredible work is only made possible by their supporters.

It currently costs £6.5 million every year to run their services with 86% of this being spent on care. Approximately one month’s income comes from statutory sources and for the other eleven months of the year they are dependent on public support.

Fundraising Team Leader at Hope House Lynsey Kilvert said: “This Children’s Hospice Week we are celebrating the bravery of the children and families who rely on our services – ordinary people living extraordinary lives.

"We are focusing on their immense resilience and bravery - people for whom everyday living often presents multiple and complex challenges, challenges made even harder by the pandemic.

"We also want to use this occasion to thank the thousands of individuals, clubs and businesses like Aico that have supported us so generously throughout some of our most difficult times - we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.”