STAFF at a York furniture store have been donning their cycling helmets and helping in the final bid to raise the remaining £55,000 for the £2 million hospice target.

Macdonald's furniture shop in Fossgate organised a 25-mile charity cycle ride and have donated £1,050 from the proceeds to the St Leonard's Hospice 2000 Appeal.

The 20 cyclists, aged from ten to 60, travelled the Selby cycle path.

Presenting the cheque to Janet Morley, fundraising manager for St Leonard's, Martyn Macdonald said: "The staff wanted to raise the money as a tribute to my father who died in 1997.

"We are very grateful to them and their friends and family who took part or supported us. I know that the care given at St Leonard's is unique and very special, so I am pleased we are able to contribute this amount to the appeal in his memory."

Janet Morley said: "We are very grateful to the Macdonalds staff and their friends for this magnificent donation. We feel a particular connection with the store as Martyn's mother, Barbara Macdonald leads our team of volunteer gardeners.

"The funds will be put to very good use in helping to care for more patients."

Donations can be sent to the St Leonard's fundraising office at 14 York Road, Acomb, York, YO24 4LU, or drop off in an envelope marked for the attention of Emma Harrison, St Leonard's Hospice 2000 Appeal, to the front desk of the Evening Press in Walmgate, York.

Or you can call into one of the shops, which are in Fourth Avenue in Tang Hall, The Village in Haxby, Waterloo Lane in Pocklington and the York Road shop in Acomb.

If you are organising or taking part in any activities to raise money for the appeal, contact Emma Harrison in the Evening Press newsroom on 01904 653051 ext 314 or email on emma.harrison@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 10:27 Saturday, June 09, 2001