WE'RE there - and it's all thanks to you.

Today we can announce that we have hit the amazing £2 million target in our Hospice 2000 Appeal, to provide improved care for more people.

In less than a month, a staggering £65,000 has been raised in the Final Countdown for the appeal to create a new annexe for St Leonard's Hospice.

The mammoth task of raising the cash needed for this most worthwhile of causes started in October, 1998.

Now the celebrations can finally begin after more than two years of hard work.

The appeal today reached £2,003,481.39.

Messages of thanks and congratulations are pouring in, including one from the hospice president, the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope.

He was quick to express heartfelt thanks to Evening Press readers and everyone who helped raise the £2 million.

He said: "When St Leonard's Hospice set out to raise the daunting sum of £2 million, it placed its trust in the many thousands of people who know that its work is vital to the whole community.

"Now that the sum has been raised, I rejoice with everyone at the hospice that the new annexe can be completed and the existing buildings refurbished, knowing that the funds have been found to meet the heavy costs.

"Congratulations to everyone who has helped in this wonderful achievement - from the very youngest nursery school pupils to the most senior residents in retirement homes, from those who have undertaken hair-raising and strenuous activities to others who took part in sponsored silences or open gardens.

"Thanks especially to the readers of the Evening Press, which has loyally supported the appeal from the beginning.

"This Millennium project will benefit future generations of local people in such an important way, extending and enhancing the care to those who need it most."

St Leonard's fundraising manager Janet Morley said: "This is a very exciting day. We must say a very big thank-you to everyone - whether you have supported our events or organised your own, or sent a donation.

"Of course we must now carry on with our normal fundraising, but we are so thrilled to have achieved £2 million to complete this important project in the life of St Leonard's."

If anyone has planned an event that has not taken place yet, money can still be sent to the fundraising office in Acomb and it will be put towards the general running of the hospice or towards buying extra special items that will make the surroundings more comfortable for the patients.

Click here for more on the Hospice 2000 Campaign

Updated: 10:57 Wednesday, July 04, 2001