A "FANTASTIC" response to an appeal to build a new £2.2 million hospice in Kidderminster has brought New Year cheer to cancer sufferers and their families.

Kemp Hospice which aims to have a new, purpose-built state-of-the-art centre up and running by March 2003, has banked an amazing £100,000 since launching its appeal for funds in September.

Businesses, trusts and individuals have rallied to the call for cash after the hospice plans were unveiled exclusively by the Shuttle/Times & News in May.

Campaign manager John Fletcher paid tribute to the level of support which has enabled the appeal to notch the landmark figure in three months.

He said: "The response has been fantastic. In the last two weeks alone we have had two cheques for £10,000 each from the Rowlands Trust and Baron Davenport Trust, while the appeal for foreign currency launched with the Shuttle/Times & News has reached the £500 mark and is still coming in.

"It is a very encouraging start; people have been very generous and we have had some excellent donations and pledges of support from trusts and the corporate sector."

He said not only had foreign notes and coins been pouring in to Shuttle/Times & News offices in Blackwell Street, people were also taking donations to the hospice in Sutton Road.

And he revealed an exciting programme of events for 2002 had been drawn up which so far includes a go-karting championship, a pop concert, parachute jumps and an children's teddy bear challenge.

The hospice development will boost day care places at the centre from 12-18.

The current office building will be demolished and replaced with a two-storey structure. The ground floor will include therapy and physiotherapy facilities, a chapel and day and visitor rooms, while the first floor will be a non-patient area and will include community and Macmillan nurses rooms.

There will also be a large meeting room which, it is hoped, will be hired out to businesses and health groups, bringing in extra funds for the hospice.

Anyone wanting further information about the programme of events can contact John Fletcher on 01905 778433.