WATER sports enthusiast Beverley Taylor wants to make a big splash in her new job.

For the mother-of-two has just become a St Catherine's Hospice community fund-raiser for the Chorley area.

Beverley, 43, who lives in Preston, will be doing her best to get individuals, shops, businesses, pubs and clubs to donate cash to help the Lostock Hall hospice.

And one of her challenges -- aimed particularly at corporate businesses -- is to get them to take the plunge at a water sports team building day.

"My personal hobbies involve a lot of sports and I would like to get corporate clients involved in this," said Salford-born Beverley.

Her fund-raising patch stretches from South Ribble to Leyland, Chorley, Adlington, Withnell and Brinscall.

She is keen water skier and wake border, similar to snow boarding, which she enjoys with friends on Lake Windermere.

On a wider front, Beverley reiterated the need for more general volunteer help for the hospice. This includes staffing the charity's shops, carrying out door-to-door collections -- and more.

"If people don't want to commit their time in the the shops we are looking for people with special skills, maybe checking electrical equipment, videos, or toys to make sure they're safe," she added.

Beverley, who has lived in the Preston area since 1984, is no stranger to charity work, having previously worked for Barnardo's. And she came to St Catherine's following a year working in pre-vocational training for young people.

She praised local people for their generosity, saying: "They are very friendly and helpful and I feel very much at home in the Preston area."

Local events coming up include an Autumn Ball on November 17 and a Christmas dance on December 8, with venues to be decided, and the annual carol service at St Saviour's Church, Lostock Hall, on December 10.

In addition, friends and family can also 'Light up a Life' by sponsoring a light bulb in the grounds of St Catherine's to commemorate the passing of a loved one there.

Anyone who wants to volunteer their time, or fund raise for the hospice should ring 01772 629171.