A Kent hospice is facing cuts to services because of a funding crisis brought on by the economic downturn.
The Ellenor Lions Hospices, based in Northfleet and Dartford, has announced a shortfall in its expected income from donations for the year.
The charity, which serves 2,500 people a year, said some of its corporate partners had been "seriously hit".
It needs to raise £200,000 over the next few months to secure its current levels of patient care.
The Ellenor Hospice at Home and the Lions Hospice merged to form the Ellenor Lions Hospices in 2007 to serve people in North West Kent and Bexley, London.
The charity has more than 200 employees and 800 volunteers providing services including hospice care, at-home nursing, outpatient treatments, respite care and counselling children and adults with life-limiting conditions.
It is financed by private and corporate donations and funding from the local primary care trusts - Bexley Care Trust and West Kent PCT - which normally cover 23-25% of the cost of adult services.
Linda Trew, a spokesperson for the hospice, said: "I don't believe that the public has realised the recession is hitting charities as well as businesses.
"There has been a significant drop in contributions from corporate supporters. Some give us 10% of their profits, but they are now running at a loss."
Carol Stone, hospice chief executive, issued an appeal for support.
She said: "It costs £13,402.74 every single day to be able to provide the level of care and support we do.
"Sadly the recession has hit us in the same way it has hit so many others, but we simply cannot allow it to affect the level of care we provide."
She added: "There is a real need for the services that we provide. We are looking afresh at our costs but despite this can only continue the level of care if we can raise the necessary funds."
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