HOSPICE chiefs have given a big thank-you to the Evening Press and its readers for their vital help in making a dream come true.

The £2 million target to build a much-needed extension to St Leonard's Hospice was achieved this summer, following the biggest appeal in the paper's history.

Presenting a special plaque to Evening Press editor Liz Page, St Leonard's fundraising manager Janet Morley said: "The adoption of our Millennium Appeal by the Evening Press made all the difference to our fundraising.

"For more than two years the paper provided wonderful coverage of all the thousands of fundraising events, keeping the appeal constantly before the public.

"And the readers responded magnificently in so many ways. Evening Press staff, too, joined in to raise funds for the appeal.

"Now that we have our new annexe built, we hope they will feel proud of their achievement. We are certainly very proud of them!"

Mrs Page said: "When St Leonard's approached the Press to ask for our help with the £2 million appeal we said yes straight away - though it was by far the biggest appeal we have ever been associated with.

"As the money started to roll in, and we saw the enthusiasm of the whole community for the project, we knew we would make it - and we did!"

Mrs Page also thanked everyone at the hospice for their support.

The plaque will hang in the reception at the Evening Press as a permanent reminder of the close links between the newspaper, its readers and the hospice.

Updated: 11:39 Saturday, December 08, 2001