Come and join Old Mother Milly in the Grand Millennium Draw.

Pantomime star Berwick Kaler holds a giant St Leonard's Hospice Millennium draw ticket assisted by, from left, Helen Moreton, Judith Metcalfe and Matthew Welbourn Picture: Nigel Holland

The draw launched by Dame Milly Hinnyhumin - alias York's very own pantomime dame Berwick Kaler - is the latest way people can have some fun and help our Hospice 2000 Appeal at the same time.

Dame Milly's helpers at the launch were Matthew Welbourn, general manager of York Moat House Hotel, suppliers of one of the prizes, and hospice community fundraisers Helen Moreton and Judith Metcalfe.

Prizes include a £1,000 First Choice holiday voucher and a weekend break at the Chester Moat House, sister hotel to York's Moat House.

Others are first class rail tickets from GNER, a child's mountain bike, champagne and Boots gift vouchers.

The lucky winners will be announced when the draw takes place at the hospice's summer fair on July 1.

Berwick Kaler, who is a Celebrity Friend of St Leonard's Hospice Millennium Appeal, said: "It's now the 21st century, and I'm now performing my 21st Theatre Royal pantomime. York people have always supported me, just as they support St Leonard's Hospice.

"So let's all start this new Millennium by helping the hospice reach its £2 million target by buying lots of grand draw tickets.

"The prizes are certainly worth winning."

Tickets for the draw cost 20p each. They are available from reception at the hospice in Tadcaster Road and from the hospice fundraising centre in York Road, Acomb (both between 9am and 5pm only); during shop hours at the hospice shops in Acomb, Haxby, Pocklington and Tang Hall; from reception at the York Moat House in North Street; and from lots of hospice supporters.

The hospice would welcome anyone who would like to sell tickets for the draw, please call the fundraising office on 01904 781756 for details.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.