Updated 1pm 

Three apartments in London that house Maltese cancer patients and their families while they undergo treatment have been forced to close due to weather damage.

Another five apartments in the building run by Puttinu Cares experienced leaks after the roof of the building was extensively damaged by what the organisation described as non-stop rain.

“It was raining all the time which corroded the timber... there was water leaking everywhere,” the charity’s president Angele Cuschieri told Times of Malta.

The repairs are anticipated to take up to 10 weeks to complete and are expected to cost tens of thousands of euro, estimates that have the charity worried.

“We’re in a bit of a panic and to top it off we’re also currently refurbishing a property in central London housing 27 apartments,” she said, stressing such work in the UK’s capital was expensive, running into the millions of pounds.

However, it’s not just the financial impacts of the water damage that have caused concern, but also the potential health implications to patients.

Three families have been rehoused in other apartments belonging to the charity.

There are fears the damp conditions could lead to mould and dust mites, which could prove dangerous to patients staying in the Puttinu Cares facilities.

“These are vulnerable patients we’re talking about — many of whom are immunosuppressed,” explained Cuschieri.

Immunosuppression refers to having a weak immune system, which can happen when a person is unwell or if they are taking certain medications such as undergoing chemotherapy, a frontline cancer treatment.

The charity first shared news of the damage to its Martin Court building on Facebook on Wednesday, when it posted photos of the damage to the roof and announced the closure of several of the apartments.

According to Puttinu Cares CEO Rennie Zerafa, repairs are taking place “one floor at a time”, with works having already begun to two apartments on the first floor and both apartments on the second floor.

Once these have been refurbished, works will begin on the remaining first floor apartment and the three at ground level.

While the organisation was not planning on holding a special collection to help with the damage, Zerafa said that should the public wish to donate, they could do so through the Puttinu Cares website.

The charity, set up in 2002, provides care and support to cancer patients and offers accommodation in Sutton for relatives of patients receiving cancer treatment abroad.

According to Zerafa, it assists between 60 and 90 families per month. The charity raises funds through sponsorships, donations and fundraising activities.