FUND-RAISERS are saying a huge thank you to Evening News readers after topping the £4m mark in the St Richard's New Hospice Building Beds Together campaign - just eight months after its launch.

This means building work on the new hospice - with the first desperately-needed specialist care beds for patients in Worcester - looks set to start this summer and be open to patients in 2006.

Campaign organisers are now working urgently to raise the remaining £1.25m still needed for the 15-bed hospice - to be built on a four-acre site close to County Hall in Spetchley, Worcester.

The hospice's director of fund-raising, Marilyn Peachey, said that individuals, groups and businesses had all been answering calls for funds and had given unstinting support.

"They join us in wanting to build this new hospice as soon as possible," she said.

"Every day, our nurses see patients with life-limiting illness who would benefit hugely from having access to specialist hospice beds."

Every household in South Worcestershire will now have an appeal leaflet land on their doormat over the coming few months, explaining the need for the new hospice and asking for gifts of however much residents can afford.

"We urge everyone to spare a few minutes to respond to our plea," Mrs Peachey added.

"Our new hospice will allow patients that choice to be cared for in a hospice bed if it is the most appropriate place for them to be.

"We want patients in South Worcestershire to have the same level of care as the rest of the UK, but we will only be able to do that with the continued support of the community."

Last year, more than 1,400 patients and bereaved families were cared for in a day hospice or their own home by a team, including nurses, a social worker, a family therapist, counsellors, a physiotherapist and Citizens Advice staff.

To make a donation, visit any of the 10 St Richard's Hospice shops or call the Appeal Hotline on 01905 727444.

Anyone wishing to hold an event can call the fund-raising department on 01905 763963.