BUCKETS of cash have flowed in to help our Hospice 2000 Appeal.

The Holgate Hall Hotel in York has raised a total of £2,394 for the St Leonard's Hospice Millennium Appeal, with £205 from bucket donations and weekly staff collections.

It rained buckets when the hotel opened its woodland garden back in July, but that did not dampen the generosity of guests and visitors who took part in a raffle and bought home-made shortbread, strawberries and cream, raising £310 for the cause.

The weather was kinder a week later when hotel owner Hazel Hart, assistant manager Hannah Zaino, and housekeeper Moira Popplewell, with her husband George, were joined by friends Fran Pearson, Barbara Wood and Shirley Ritchie for a 20-mile sponsored walk.

That effort, supported en route by Mary Crockatt, Malcolm Wood and Owen Pearson, started at Castle Howard at 7am and ended with a celebration drink in the Crown and Cushion at Welburn, near Malton. It brought in the tremendous amount of £1,879.

Hazel and her team already have plans for further events later in the year. She said: "We would like to thank everyone who has supported our fundraising events for the Hospice 2000 Appeal.

"Two million pounds is a huge amount of money to raise, and we wish St Leonard's every success and want to support them all the way."

Hospice chief executive Steven Harker said: "We are very grateful to the everyone at the Holgate Hill Hotel for their efforts for the appeal and to all those who have supported them so generously."