THE recession has hit local charity Hospicare, meaning plans to develop a new base for specialist nurses in Honiton has been shelved.

THE recession has hit local charity Hospicare, meaning plans to develop a new base for specialist nurses in Honiton has been shelved.Hospiscare's High Street charity shop struggled during 2008 and now window displays are being changed three times a week to tempt shoppers in.Charity bosses told a meeting in the town last week that they are relying on the grassroots fund-raising work of Hospiscare's Honiton Support Group during the financial downturn.Eileen Rooke, the support group's chairman, immediately appealed for quality secondhand goods, to be sold at a summer fair in the Mackarness Hall, and said she is desperate to recruit extra volunteer helpers and drivers.Mrs Rooke's hardworking committee pulled out all the stops to raise �3,500 during April, the first month of the financial year. A cheque for the amount was presented to Hospiscare's fund-raising manager, Alison Palfrey, during the support group's annual meeting, held at Honiton Baptist Church, last Thursday."We are going to need you so much this year," Ms Palfrey told volunteers. "We've had a tough time."Angela Phillips, Hospiscare's clinical nurse manager for East Devon, told the meeting she was frustrated by people's perceptions. Time and again, Hospiscare nurses were mistaken for Macmillan staff - even though Macmillan does not provide a nursing service in East Devon.Ms Palfrey admitted: "It is a huge problem."During the meeting, hosted by president Trevor Bolshaw, the support group's committee was re-elected with the addition of Wyn Godfrey.Tributes were paid to long-serving secretary Pat Northcott, who is standing down to work for Hospiscare at its charity shop in Ottery St Mary.Anybody able to donate quality goods to Hospiscare or willing to be a volunteer is urged to contact Mrs Rooke on (01404) 831866.