A charity which helps children get the medical help they need has launched an emergency appeal for donations.

Tree of Hope in Tonbridge, which funds operations, therapies and equipment for families when the UK healthcare system cannot support them, faces an income shortfall of more than £600,000 over the next six months.

The organisation, which helps around 550 families each year, has set up a fundraising page which has raised just under £19,000 so far.

One of the many families supported by the charity are the Bishops, from just outside of Kent. Little Louis was born seven weeks prematurely with severe brain damage but with the help of Tree of Hope, the family have been able to adapt their house - with a floor lift and ceiling hoists - so Louis can develop and stay healthy. He also requires intensive physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and a lot of specialist equipment, which the charity has also helped with.

Running for 27 years, Tree of Hope receives no government funding and relies on fundraising, but has lost many of its income streams since the coronavirus pandemic hit.

All its fundraising and awareness events have been cancelled and so the charity urgently needs help to make up the deficit.

A spokesman said: "Tree of Hope simply cannot shut its doors - now more than ever they must be able to support children and their families, who are in dire need.

Chief executive Gill Gibb added: "As a children’s healthcare charity, supporting families who have children with a serious illness or disability, it is imperative that we keep our family support services running and that our team can continue to offer emotional support, expertise and advice to our families in these exceptional and difficult times and beyond.

"The needs of our families and their ill and disabled children have not gone away during this crisis so we would urge you to support others at this critical time and donate to our appeal.”

To donate, visit the Tree of Hope JustGiving page here.

Read more: All the latest news in Tonbridge