HOSPICE bosses are celebrating after a business from East Lancashire pledged financial support for the hospice's 30th anniversary.

Silentnight Beds has become the first company to join Pendleside Hospice’s newly launched Corporate Patron scheme.

As part of the hospice’s 30th anniversary celebrations, hospice staff are calling on 30 businesses to sign up to the patron scheme as part of their ‘Help Us Fund the Future’ campaign.

Silentnight Beds, based in Barnoldswick, became the first business to pledge its support to the hospice's new scheme and will become a platinum member for Pendleside’s 30th anniversary year.

The decision came after Richard Logan, chief operations officer, attended a leaders’ lunch at Pendleside in November.

Christina Cope, fundraising manager at Pendleside Hospice, said: “Silentnight are helping to fund specialist palliative and end of life care for patients and support for their families during times of great difficulties.

“Joining our patron scheme is a wonderful way to show support for Pendleside.

"All our Patrons will receive a number of benefits, but the real benefit will be knowing they are helping to fund specialist care for patients and their families when their need is greatest.”

Tracy Smith, who works as a laboratory manager at Silentnight Barnoldswick, said: “Many of our employees knew some of our work colleagues who were cared for at the hospice.

" On a personal note, my grandmother Brenda Shackleton was also looked after at Pendleside and I know it was a great comfort to my family to know she was so well cared for there.”