A Thornbury charity has made five redundancies following a predicted 40 per cent drop in yearly income due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Brain Tumour Support will also moving from its offices on the town's high street into smaller premises elsewhere in the town.

Five of the charity's 23 members of staff have lost their jobs, while others have had their hours cut.

CEO Tina Mitchell Skinner said: “For the charity to be in the best position to face the many challenges still ahead, we have had to take some very difficult decisions.

"As well as losing some very valued colleagues through contracts ending or redundancy and reducing some working hours for some of the remaining team, we are also moving to smaller premises whilst we assess the most efficient and cost effective way forward.

"As our lease on the current offices had come to an end this was the most sensible move for us so that we can ensure maximum funds go into our much needed support services.”

In May Brain Tumour Support launched its Together We Are Stronger Appeal in an attempt to recoup funds lost during lockdown.

Fundraisers such as Marian Grace, who cycled all the roads in Thornbury and Alveston in alphabetical order, and James Ashton, who held a special quiz night, helped the charity to survive lockdown and continue to provide services through that period.

However, there is still an urgent need to bring funds in, particularly with the Government furlough scheme support ending in October.

“I’m so proud of the commitment shown by our charity team and wonderful volunteers and supporters, particularly over the past few months,” said Mrs Mitchell Skinner.

“They have indeed shown that ‘Together we can survive’. Covid-19 has changed many aspects of life, but our vision and resolve to support as many patients and families as possible remains, in fact it’s stronger than ever.

"I urge anyone to join in helping us in any way they can so that we can rebuild and secure support services for the future.”

From Monday Brain Tumour Support will be based at Lancaster House, Bristol Road, Thornbury.

Anyone who is interested to know more about their work or how they can help should visit braintumoursupport.co.uk, email info@braintumoursupport.co.uk or call 01454 414355.