DONATIONS to the Lancashire Telegraph’s Raise the Roof appeal will be doubled — but only for a three-day period.

Readers are urged to give what they can on December 5, 6 and 7 as the Garfield Weston Foundation has pledged to match donations up to a total of £40,000.

And businesses in particular are being asked to help out.

The £125,000 appeal, to pay for a new roof at the East Lancashire Hospice, has only £20,000 left to go and co-ordinator Sharon Crymble said it would be brilliant if the total could be reached by Christmas.

She said: “We only have £20,000 to go and are asking Lancashire Telegraph readers to give us an early Christmas present.

“There is a limit on match funding from the foundation each day, and we’re not the only charity going for the money.

“So we need our supporters to donate early on each day. Hopefully, for donations of £10,000 we can get a total of £20,000.

"It’s a great opportunity for us and we’re very grateful.”

The foundation has recently awarded the appeal £10,000.

The match funding scheme is part of The Big Give scheme — a one-off event to support selected Garfield Weston Foundation grantees.

Lancashire Telegraph editor Kevin Young said: “This is a direct plea to help us to get over the line on this hugely important appeal. Unfortunately, time is short to hit the match funding deadline so we are asking for a speedy response.

“There can be few better causes than backing the East Lancashire Hospice, an organisation that has helped literally thousands of people over the years.”

The Garfield Weston Foundation was established in 1958 by Willard Garfield Weston, a Canadian businessman who was the founder of Associated British Foods.

Funds will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

How to make a donation

You can donate to the appeal by debit or credit card. Go to: www.thebiggive.org.uk/donate/eastlancshospice