WE start this week’s St Richard’s Hospice feature with the fantastic news that, since the launch of the Journal’s £15,000 appeal, more people are becoming aware of the charity’s vital work in south Worcestershire.

The hospice has seen an increase in the number of referrals for its care in the Evesham area since our regular publication of stories highlighting the support it offers to those with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Marilyn Peachey, St Richard’s Hospice director of fund-raising, said the charity was “very pleased” with the progress of the fund-raising for its new Community Care Centre which is currently being constructed.

“Alongside the £600,000 from the Department of Health and the funds raised through donations given specifically to the project, St Richard’s Governors have pledged £250,000 from our reserve funds if necessary, which leaves us to raise another £50,000 to complete the build ready to open in April,” she said.

“Of course, the more we receive from generous donations, the less we will need to take from our reserve funds, and with the challenge of also raising funds to provide our existing services, we are very grateful for every penny donated to this important project which will see St Richard’s offer care to even more people.

“We are particularly grateful to the Evesham Journal for pledging to help raise £15,000 towards the centre and for highlighting the care the hospice offers to patients and families.”

Meanwhile, Pinvin villagers will show their support for the Journal’s 150th anniversary fund-raising appeal by holding a charity bingo night.

The event will take place at the Coach and Horses pub on Sunday, December 12, at 8pm and the cost is £5 for eight games and £3 for two flyers, with prizes for the winners and a raffle.

Organiser Doreen Jordan said: “It means very much to me to be able help St Richard’s Hospice as my brother died from cancer and a couple of the helpers have had family members affected by it too.

“We have bingo every week at the Coach and Horses in Pinvin and every year we do a Christmas bingo. We like to support local charities, and I saw the Journal’s appeal for St Richard’s Hospice in the paper and I thought what a good idea.”

If you too would like to support our fund-raising appeal by holding an event of your own, let us know by calling 01386 444054 or e-mailing sarah.hickinbotham @eveshamjournal.co.uk.

Alternatively, donations can be made online via justgiving.com/journal-appeal or by calling the St Richard’s Hospice fund-raising department on 01905 763963.

For more information on the work of St Richard’s Hospice, visit strichards.org.uk.