It's great news indeed... and there is certain to be a massive celebration today across the county as it is revealed that the St Richard's Hospice appeal has reached its £5.25m target.

When the appeal - to build a complely new adult hospice on a green-field site close to County Hall - was first launched there was some incredulity at the timescale the committee had set themselves to complete the task.

But with an energetic St Richard's team headed by chief executive Barney Price and a brilliant fund-raising operation masterminded by Andrew Grant, the Doubting Thomases were proved wrong.

The new hospice, at present under construction at Wildwood Way, will provide 15 specialist beds, be backed by state of-the-art equipment and manned with a staff that will increase to more than 100, including many specialist nurses.

In support will be 600 volunteers, many of whom are specially trained to care for life-limited patients.

This paper has supported the appeal since its inception and has no reservations in bestowing the highest praise on all involved in the project.

We are constantly amazed at the generosity of the people and businesses in the villages, towns and city and their response to the massive £5.25m challenge.

Following the success of the Acorns Children's Hospice appeal, there were some who thought the county was suffering from charity overload. They were wrong.

The county was up for the challenge and has responded, as we thought it would, superbly.