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, St Richard's fund-raising manager, 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 £5.25 million hospice at Wildwood Drive, Worcester 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 about1,600 patients and families.

The hospice needs to raise £3.2 million this year to provide the ongoing specialist care and support for patients and families.