Residents will this weekend be given a myriad of opportunities to support St Leonard's Hospice, in York.

Japanese enthusiast Eileen Rhodes, and Fitness First gym are both contributing to the cause.

Eileen will open her Japanese garden at 26 Priors Walk, Ouse Acres, off Boroughbridge Road, York, to the public between 3pm and 5pm tomorrow.

The garden has a Japanese theme, incorporating a bridge and pool along with an oriental style tea-house.

Joining Eileen will be her friend Sunny Kang, from The Japanese Shop in Coppergate.

Visitors will be served with Japanese tea and snacks as part of a nation-wide tea party, called Tea At Three, in aid of local hospices. There will also be a tombola and prize draw.

Fitness First, in Audax Road, Clifton Moor, will be opening its doors to the public on Sunday in order to raise funds for the Tadcaster Road hospice.

The open day will take place on Sunday, between 10am and 4pm.

In return for a donation to St Leonard's, visitors will be able to use the gym facilities free of charge.

Staff will offer free fitness advice and are organising a raffle.

Debbie Burgess, Fitness First's membership executive, said everybody was welcome and described the event as "an ideal opportunity to help St Leonard's Hospice and do your body a favour."

Helen Moreton, community fundraiser at St Leonard's Hospice, said: "Lenny

Bear was thrilled that Fitness First has again come up with a fundraising idea to help St Leonard's, and couldn't wait to get fit during Hospice

Awareness Month.

"This open day is a wonderful chance to discover how to become fit for your summer holidays, and to help our work at the same time."

Updated: 09:03 Thursday, June 19, 2003