A regional newspaper has wound down its charity after nearly 70 years as donations “slowed to a trickle” during the coronavirus crisis.

The Give A Child Health Fund was launched in 1953 by Birmingham’s Sunday Mercury, initially to send children with tuberculosis and asthma for breaks in Switzerland.

The charity has since given more than £1 million of assistance to NHS heroes and young patients, and remaining funds will be given to the Birmingham Women’s & Children’s Hospital charity.

Former Sunday Mercury Editor Paul Cole, pictured, is one of the charity’s long-serving trustees.

He said: “It is with a heavy heart that we have decided to wind down the Give A Child Health Fund.

“But we felt that the time was now right to say farewell.

“Thanks to the generosity of Mercury readers, and those of our sister Birmingham Mail newspaper, the Fund has helped a huge number of young people over the years.

“We are glad that we have been able to make a difference to their lives.

“The Fund has always relied solely on donations and we appreciate that there are other priorities in these unprecedented times as we all face the challenges that coronavirus has brought.”

Paul added: “To everyone who has made a donation in the last 67 years, and to everyone who has helped our work, a huge thank you.”