THE Westmorland Gazette's Hospice Angels campaign has now surpassed the £20,000 mark, in part thanks to one very generous donation.

Lakeland Disability Support has pledged £5,000 to the campaign, which hopes to raise £30,000 for the St John's Hospice at Home nurses.

Robert Smith, the chair of trustees for the group, said: "We are delighted to be able to offer financial help to St John's Hospice in support of the wonderful work that they carry out on a daily basis to the person concerned, and equally importantly to their close family at a difficult and emotional time."

The Hospice at Home nurses provide end of life care at home, giving people the choice to spend their last days in familiar surroundings.

With less than £10,000 to raise before we reach our target, The Westmorland Gazette would like to encourage readers and local organisations to get involved by arranging their own events.

The Carver Uniting Church, on Lake Road, Windermere is one group getting involved in the campaign. 50 per cent of the proceeds from the Carver Christmas Fair, which will be held on November 26 from 10am-noon, will be donated to the campaign.

"It's all Christmas stalls filled with Christmas goodies," said Judith Wood, one of the fair organisers. "I think so many of us in the church have been helped by St John's or St Mary's (Ulverston's hospice). It touches everybody at some point."

The £30,000 will pay for a Hospice at Home nurse for one full year, as well as telephone calls, fuel costs and equipment such as syringes.

Andrew Thomas, editor of The Westmorland Gazette, said that he was 'delighted' that the campaign had made it to the milestone.

"To have raised more than two thirds of our target in just over two and a half months is a real testament to the generosity of our readers," Mr Thomas said. "Now that we're so close to the £30,000 mark, I encourage individuals and organisations to get involved with fundraising in any way that they can."

Contact sara.royle@nqnw.co.uk or phone 01539 790260 if you would like to get involved.

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