A KENDAL estate agent has urged other businesses to come forward in support of the Hospice Angels campaign.

Iain Bainbridge, the managing director of Scott Bainbridge, said that he is 'passionately in favour' of the hospice movement.

"We committed ourselves to giving 10 per cent of our fees on sales to local charities and one of our preferences and favourites is St John's Hospice," he said. "We just want to give something back to the community. It's not clients money we are giving away and we want to try and encourage other businesses to do the same - especially larger businesses."

The Westmorland Gazette launched its Hospice Angels campaign at the start of September. It aims to raise £30,000 - enough to fund a Hospice at Home nurse and the associated costs, such as syringes and travel, for a full year.

The nurses work every day of the year and are available 24-hours a day - covering the South Lakes, north Lancashire and North Yorkshire - offering specialist palliative care at the end of life to allow those who wish to remain in their homes during their final days.

Iain said that he would love for a large business to get involved that could match fund donations to the campaign, something which he said is 'feasible'.

"St John's Hospice is on our doorstep and it's providing a wonderful service and I want to try and get businesses behind it," he said. "Nobody ever thinks they will need a hospice but if somebody in their family is affected by a life limited illness it's nice to know that there is something like that - it's a massive comfort for families."

Other businesspeople getting behind the campaign include Pam and Tom Baxter, the proprietors of the Smithy Inn in Holme.

The pair have arranged their quiz night, taking place this evening (September 22) at 8.30pm, in aid of the cause.