Bexleyheath shoppers have helped raise £40,000 for terminally ill patients and their families.

The visitors to Broadway Shopping Centre stumped up the cash for Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice.

Money was raised during the festive period through 5,791 visits to Santa's grotto, put up in the shopping centre.

Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice’s fundraising manager Sarah O’Halloran said:  "We did so well raising £35,000 last time so to have surpassed that figure is incredible. 

"We had 5,791 children come through to visit Santa and we couldn’t have done it without the generosity of our local supporters and Broadway Shopping Centre."

The organisation offers specialist palliative care services including a bereavement service for those who have lost loved ones.

Lesley Brabon has relied heavily on help and advice from the hospice in Abbey Wood since losing her mum 18 months ago who she cared for full-time.

She said: “I don’t think I would have been able to get through it without the hospice team.

"I felt like I couldn’t go on but they explained how it was all the process of grieving and helped me through every stage."

Visit communityhospice.org.uk