A CUMBRIAN charity appeal aimed at building a children's hospice in the county has past the quarter million pound mark less than five months after its launch.

The Jigsaw appeal plans to raise £1 million to build a four-bed hospice in Carlisle for Cumbrian children with life-limiting illnesses.

At the moment there are no facilities between Glasgow, Newcastle and Blackpool to offer care to these children or respite for their parents.

"We are overwhelmed and delighted at the generosity of this county, at a time when there are so many deserving causes seeking help at home and abroad," said appeal chairman Ann Graham. "We are now reaching capacity for children using the existing day-care facilities at the Eden Valley Children's Hospice and, as an unexpected twist to the campaign, the need to start building has become even more urgent."

The £250,000 takes the appeal to the half-way point in its building target. The total £1 million needed breaks down into £500,000 to pay for construction and the remaining £500,000 to cover running costs for the first year.

The appeal is now aiming to pass £300,000 by the end of the year.

"The response has been extraordinary," said Mrs Graham. "News organisations in Cumbria have spotted the unique need in our county and brought to the public's attention the fact that people can actually do something to help give respite to the families concerned."

It is that awareness, she added, that has given rise to a wide range of innovative and heart-warming individual efforts to stimulate the flow of funds.

"We are especially grateful for the way local authorities and Cumbrian businesses have demonstrably given their support," she added.

For information, contact Colin Powell, Head of Fundraising, Eden Valley Hospice, on 01228-817617.