FOR the past two-and-a-half years, the people of York and the surrounding area have been fundraising for our St Leonard's Hospice 2000 Appeal to build a new in-patient annexe, re-develop the present buildings and to extend our services.

Now that we have reached the wonderful target of £2 million, I should like to thank the readers of the Evening Press and all the staff at the newspaper, for their support, commitment and generosity.

It really has been a magnificent effort. We are thrilled to have reached this stage and to see the new annexe nearing completion.

Everyone's gifts and all the fundraising efforts - large or small - have been so much appreciated by everyone here.

The recent Wear Yellow Day was a popular event and, with funds still coming in, £7,500 was raised from that day alone.

Thank you to everyone who took part. We look forward to even more joining in next year!

Many people do not realise that the hospice still depends almost entirely on voluntary giving, legacies and fundraising - we receive only about 20 per cent of our running costs from Government sources - and on volunteers who give their skills and time on a regular basis in all departments of the hospice.

Now that the appeal is over, for us to maintain the care for patients and their families, we shall be continuing to fundraise and recruit volunteers.

If anyone would like to know more about opportunities for volunteering, or about how to leave a legacy or any other information about St Leonard's, we should be delighted to hear from you.

Janet Morley,

St Leonard's Hospice Fundraising Centre,

York Road,

Acomb,

York.

Updated: 10:00 Saturday, August 18, 2001