THE Westmorland Gazette's Hospice Angels campaign is now at more than £26,000 following a bumper week of fundraising.

The fantastic sum has been reached in part thanks to the efforts of the Carver Uniting Church Christmas Fair, Kendal Rotary, the Cumbria Commandery of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem and the Windermere and Ambleside Lions Club Jingle Bell Jog.

Money raised at the Cockshott Point in Bowness jog, at which participants were encouraged to fundraise for the campaign, are still being added up but there was a promising turnout, with 150 taking part.

The Hospice Angels campaign, which launched at the start of September, is seeking to raise £30,000 to fund a St John's Hospice at Home nurse for one 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.

Following the group's success at Kendal's ASDA, Kendal Rotary also undertook its second supermarket collection at Kendal's Booths and will be making a total donation of £750 to the campaign.

The Rotary Club of Lunesdale has also contributed to the campaign, pledging a generous £1,000.

"The Rotary Club of Lunesdale has supported many cancer care charities and we have in the past supported St John's Hospice," Richard Parsons, president of the club, said. "There is a one of our members who has benefited from the Hospice at Home movement. It's a very worthwhile cause to support."

If you would like to fundraise for the campaign or have a story about the Hospice at Home team that you would like to share, then contact Sara Royle on 01539 790260.