A YORK hospice has won a big boost from a superstore chain.

The deal means that St Leonard's Hospice will have a fundraising link-up with the three local Tesco stores, at Askham Bar, Clifton Moor and Selby.

All three stores will be helping the hospice with fundraising activities over the next year.

The money raised will go to St Leonard's, and Tesco will provide some extra top-up cash as well.

St Leonard's has cared for more than 5,000 patients with life-threatening illnesses over the past 19 years.

The hospice was at the centre of a massive Evening Press-backed £2 million fundraising campaign to allow it to extend its vital facilities.

But it also costs £2 million each year to run the hospice, and nearly all of this comes from fundraising, donations and legacies.

The collaboration with the local stores has come about after Tesco nationally adopted the Hospice Movement as its charity of the year.

Janet Morley, fundraising manager at St Leonard's, said: "We are sure that we shall be able to build on the excellent relationship we already have with the stores during this very exciting year."

Lucy Neville Rolfe, group director of corporate affairs at Tesco, said: "We hope that the money raised by our staff and suppliers will go some way to help ensure the ongoing work of the hospice movement."

Updated: 09:42 Saturday, February 21, 2004