BURY Hospice needs your help! That's the call from the charity as it celebrates its tenth anniversary.

The hospice in Dumers Lane, Radcliffe, is marking the milestone by launching a volunteer recruitment drive.

Mr Mervyn Reeves, fund-raising manager, explained: "The hospice has been open for ten years and it is now time to look to the next ten years to ensure its future.

"Many volunteers have been with us for the past 16 years when the hospice was still in its planning stages. Some have passed away, retired through ill-health or moved away.

"It is essential that we attract more volunteers to ensure the future of the hospice. We need to raise more than £600,000 a year to carry on its work.

"Without volunteers Bury Hospice could not function," said Mr Reeves. "It's because of volunteers that the hospice was built in the first place."

There are around 200 volunteers currently working for the hospice. Their duties range from administration and driving to fund-raising and shop work.

Mr Reeves said: "There really is something for everyone and there will be plenty more opportunities for volunteers in the near future. But I am particularly keen to attract some more fund-raising volunteers."

He added: "Anyone over the age of 16 can apply to become a volunteer. It is a great way for those people who feel they would like to help but do not know how to go about it or those who are looking to meet more people."

And it is not all work, work, work! Every year, volunteers organise a social gathering and they are invited to various functions.

Anyone interested should contact Mr Reeves on 797 1748 or 725 9800.