MOUNTBATTEN has taken its shop entirely online to keep donations coming as the coronavirus outbreak goes on.

The Island charity has temporarily closed all ten of its stores including all its High Street shops in hopes of keeping volunteers and customers safe.

Mountbatten chief executive, Nigel Hartley, said: "The safety of our staff, volunteers and customers and supporters is our absolute priority.

"Our shops not only offer us a vital source of income, but they also act as social hubs for many people across the Island.

“The government has been very clear in asking us all to keep a distance from each other, so we must take the responsible step and close until further notice.

“The loss of income will hit us, at a time when we already know our general fundraising streams will be significantly affected.

“We would encourage people to visit our Ebay site and look out for our new online shop, which we will make available as quickly as we can.

“We need people to keeping thinking of us because despite everything that is happening, our work caring for hundreds of people in their homes and those in our hospice continues.

“Whether it’s making a donation via our website or signing up to Walk the Wight Your Way, any support you can give is so vital to us.”