"You've done us proud."

That's the message from jubilant fund-raisers at St Richard's Hospice to Worcester News readers who have helped the charity reach its £5.25m New Hospice Appeal goal - just 18 months after it was launched.

The money is paying for a desperately needed new hospice with 15 specialist beds currently being built in

Wildwood Way, near County Hall, Worcester. It is due to open to patients with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses in the autumn.

Appeal chairman Andrew Grant said it was a truly fantastic achievement.

"We couldn't have done it without the help of everyone in the community pulling together, including the generous readers of the Worcester News.

"We want to thank everyone who has helped us along the way.

"Thousands of people have given their time, energy, enthusiasm and money. Now we are saying, 'Please don't stop there, you've done it - now help us to keep it going'."

When St Richard's moves from its current Rose Hill site it will take on an extra 30 employees, including many specialist nurses, which will increase staff to more than 100. Working alongside them will be 600 volunteers, many of whom are specially trained to care for patients.

Providing all the current free services and the specialist hospice beds will see running costs rise to £2.8m a year - and almost three-quarters of this needs to be raised from voluntary contributions through the community.

Jeannie Young, chairman of St Richard's governors, said: "We have worked very hard to increase our income over the last few years to a sustainable level that we will need to run the new hospice.

"We believe that local people can see the enormous benefits of our hospice care and will continue to support us to ensure we are here for them, their family, friends and colleagues should we ever be needed."

"The specialist beds in the new hospice will make a huge difference to many of our patients. It means they will no longer have to travel long distances or be separated from their loved ones. Our hospice staff will offer complete, dignified and specialist care for all aspects of their illness at a difficult time."

St Richard's was founded 22 years ago and cares for more than 1,500 patients and their relatives each year.

The number of residents in the area being cared for by hospice staff continues to grow, with almost 600 patients being supported at any one time.

Patients and bereaved families are cared for in the day hospice or their own home by a team that includes nurses, doctors, a social worker, family therapist, counsellors, physios, occupational therapists and Citizens Advice Bureau workers, as well as many trained volunteers.

There will be opportunities for people to view the new hospice before it opens its doors to patients and families in October.

For more information, or to make a donation, call the fundraising department on 01905 763963.