I WOULD like to take this opportunity to thank your readers for donations we have received at the Hospice over the Christmas period.

Our Christmas goods have sold well. The response to our "Light Up A Life" campaign was even greater than last year and, in addition, we have received an increased amount of money sent by people in lieu of sending Christmas cards. Some of these came from offices in the town, companies and even hospital wards.

Your readers will no doubt have read about more Government money being directed towards hospices all over the UK. This has been the result of a massive lobbying campaign and we are grateful for "some light at the end of the tunnel".

But while the overall sum talked about is many millions, the individual amount we will hopefully eventually receive will still be only a fraction of the over £1m that we need to raise each year by charitable means.

Bolton Hospice has now been established for 11 years and the free expertise and care that the Hospice provides to patients with life-threatening illnesses and their families is now an essential part of healthcare in Bolton.

Unlike some hospices around the country, we are currently managing to meet our costs year on year, but this is almost entirely due to the generosity of the citizens of Bolton, who support us with money and also by giving us their time and talent in a voluntary capacity.

A big thank you to you all.

Sheila Tonge

Chairman

Bolton Hospice