EAST Lancashire Hospice has thanked fundraisers for helping the Raise the Roof appeal hit the £100,000 mark.

The Lancashire Telegraph campaign aims to raise £125,000 to build a new roof over the hospice’s inpatients unit.

The latest milestone was achieved at the Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards, when fundraising manager Sharon Crymble made a plea to local businesses.

A total of £1,246 was collected, with an extra £700 pledged to the appeal on the night by Blackburn College.

Lyn Stevenson, East Lancashire Hospice’s chief executive, said: “This is absolutely fantastic news.

“We offer a huge thank you to all the people and businesses in our community who have helped us to raise this enormous amount of money through their hard work and generosity.

“This now leaves us with only another £25,000 to raise to ensure the patients and their families literally have a new roof over their heads in the spring.”

The charity is keen to get people and community groups to organise events for the appeal and can help them promote their activity or organise the event itself.

Paul Hayhurst, who runs Craiglands Function Rooms in Darwen, raised more than £150 for the cause earlier this year, when his function suite in Watery Lane held a blues night featuring the 2:19 Blues Band from Burnley.

He said: “It’s superb news that the appeal has reached £100,000 and I’m very pleased.

“People should get involved because it’s a good cause and it makes you feel good doing it. I haven’t finished fundraising so I’ll have to think of something else!”

The hospice in Park Lee Road, Blackburn already needs to find around £2.8 million each year to continue supporting people in Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley who have terminal and life-threatening diseases.

Fundraiser Kimberley Hall said: “We would love to hit the overall target before Christmas, but cannot get there without more of the fantastic generosity we’ve already seen.

“To reach £125,000 would be the best Christmas present ever for the hospice. It would be a dream come true.”

You can donate to the Raise the Roof appeal by contacting the hospice’s fundraising department on 01254 733410.

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.

Click on the link below for more information on the Raise The Roof campaign.