SOCIAL services staff took a break from helping their clients to raise money for The Bolton News Garden of Tranquillity Appeal.

The adult services team at Bolton Council held a coffee and cake morning to raise £218 towards a new look for the gardens at the hospice.

Adult services manager Carol Wilcox, along with colleagues Brenda Hilton and Angela Yates, organised the event.

Mrs Wilcox, aged 46, suffered from skin cancer 17 years ago and says she wants to give something back to the community now she has fully recovered from the disease.

"I'm doing really well now, but I wanted to pay something back because I was saved," she said. "I think the appeal is really good because it's very much a local cause.

"The garden will be a real benefit for the patients, and also for the people who visit them. The hospice does some wonderful work."

The Bolton News Garden of Tranquillity Appeal aims to raise £100,000 to turn the hospice grounds into a haven of rest.

At present they are covered in grass, so patients in wheelchairs and those with Zimmer frames cannot use them.

Patio areas have cracked, broken and uneven paving stones.

As part of the Garden of Tranquillity plan, pathways will be created and there will be seating areas where patients can spend time with their loved ones.

There will also be a sensory garden and a water feature.

If you want to contribute to the appeal, cheques and postal orders should be made payable to Bolton Hospice and can be returned to The Bolton News, Newspaper House, Churchgate, Bolton, BL1 1DE.

If you are organising a fundraising event, contact The Bolton News health correspondent Jane Lavender on 01204 537350.

We will try to cover as many events as possible and pictures will be published in the paper and on our website, www.theboltonnews.co.uk