THE Raise the Roof appeal for East Lancashire Hospice has reached the £50,000 mark.

The campaign to raise £125,000 to build a new roof over East Lancashire Hospice's inpatient unit was launched three and a half months ago.

And it is now approaching the half way point thanks to the fundraising efforts of Lancashire Telegraph readers and hospice supporters.

Regulars at the Stop N Rest pub in Blackburn took the total past £50,000 with a donation of nearly £3,000.

Sam Duckett, Paul Jolly and Josh Newell raised around £1,250 during a sponsored walk to Haydock Park Racecourse, and landlord Kevin Cassidy said other customers soon followed suit.

He said: “Because it’s a community pub we’ve all been up for doing different things.

“We’ve had raffles and family fun days with games and karaoke. My brother Gabriel Cassidy came in as a compère free of charge and we had a local artist Joanna Coin sing for free too.

“It’s on our doorstep and it’s important because everybody local knows somebody who has been touched by the hospice.

“People are already saying that’s not the end of it and we’ve now set another target of £1,000 by the end of August.”

St Anne’s Ladies Group donated £800 to the appeal, which they raised by holding a concert at the church in Cobham Road, Accrington.

The concert featured pupils from the school choir at St Anne's and St Joseph's Primary School in Sandy Lane and a raffle.

East Lancashire Hospice fundraising manager, Sharon Crymble, said: “The appeal has really been boosted by events taking place in our local communities.

“Reaching £50,000 shows that the amounts really do add up.

“The money from St Anne’s Ladies and the Stop N Rest is fantastic. We encourage other groups to take part and help us achieve our goal.”

How to donate

  • By text - Send ROOF to 70700. Texts cost £5 plus network charge. East Lancashire Hospice receives at least £4.45. Obtain bill payers permission. Customer care 08448479800.

    Charity No 1075653.

  • Online - At eastlancshospice.org.uk/roof-appeal. Remember to add the word ‘roof’ in the comments section so it is clear the donation is for this appeal.
  • At a bank - Make a payment at any Yorkshire Bank, Account No 22741541, Sort Code 05-02-52. Locally there are branches in Accrington, Barnoldswick, Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, Clitheroe, Colne, Nelson and Todmorden.
  • By post - Send a cheque to Roof Appeal, East Lancashire Hospice, Park Lee Road, Blackburn, BB2 3NY.
  • By phone - Pay by debit or credit card by ringing 01254 733410.

If surplus funds are raised they will be used for the general purposes of the charity.