THE prospect of a children's hospice for Worcester is £90,000 closer thanks to generous fund-raisers flocking to support Acorns events.

The Three Counties Appeal, launched in April, now stands at £388,246, with the target being £4m.

Public donations throughout May clocked up £38,246 for the charity, and an anonymous donation of £50,000 bumped up the total.

Of the cash handed over by the public, £29,077 was raised in Worcestershire, £5,955 in Herefordshire and the remainder in nearby counties.

"We're absolutely delighted with the way the appeal is going," said Fran Winterbourn, community fund-raising co-ordinator for the charity.

"Public response is going from strength-to-strength and we are confident that the fund-raising will grow even quicker over the coming months.

"The generosity of local people is fantastic and each month we're getting closer and closer to the £4m target."

The appeal is aimed at having a new unit up and running in Bath Road by 2004, to care for life-limited youngsters and their families.

Planning permission for the plot of land, valued at £1.2m, has been secured, and the foundations dug.

A huge Evening News-backed fund-raising event aims to put more cash in the charity's pot.

Worcester Rugby Club and Worcester Evening News Acorns Summer Ball 2002 is a black-tie do boasting a three-course meal, band and disco.

Revellers at the event, on Saturday, July 27, will be able to bid for several lots at an auction on the evening.

Details on up-and-coming fund-raising events and progress made on the appeal will be displayed on the night.

To make a donation to Acorns, contact Fran Winterbourn on 01905 767676 and for ball tickets, costing £35, call Kathy Leather on 01905 459326.