LEONARD Simmonds Associates has marked the opening of its new estate agency and financial services outlet in Malvern by presenting a cheque for £530 to St Richard's Hospice in Worcester.

Tricia Cavell, fund-raising manager for St Richard's, said: "We are delighted with this donation from LSA and look forward to working with them during 2008 as one of their preferred charities."

St Richard's moved into its new £5.25m hospice at Wildwood Drive, Worcester, at the end of last year.

The hospice contains an in-patient unit, day hospice, home care team, counselling and bereavement support, social work, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, complementary therapies, hospice at home, Snowdrop group, chaplaincy, 24 hour telephone support helpline and the education & resource centre.

All the services are free and each year St Richard's cares for in the region of 1,600 patients and families. The hospice needs to raise £3.2m this year to provide the ongoing specialist care and support for patients and families.