ST Richard's Hospice has said a big thank-you to people in Malvern for helping to raise more than £5 million for its new building.

It was announced this week that the New Hospice Appeal target of £5.25m had been met thanks to the generosity of local people.

Andrew Grant, chairman of the St Richard's New Hospice Appeal, said: "We couldn't have done it without the help of everyone in the community pulling together, including the generous readers of the Malvern Gazette."

Marilyn Peachey, director of fundraising for St Richard's, said: "The local community have been digging deep into their pockets. It's very humbling."

But the message is 'please don't stop there', as money is now needed to keep the new hospice going.

Building work is already well underway for the new hospice, based at Wildwood Way near County Hall in Worcester, and it is due to open to patients in the autumn.

St Richard's will be taking on 30 extra employees, including specialist nurses, which will increase staff numbers to more than 100. Working alongside them will be 600 volunteers, many specially trained in caring for patients.

Annual running costs are around £2.8 million, three-quarters of which needs to be raised by the local community and this is the new challenge.

Sandy Gibson, a member of St Richard's Malvern fundraising group, said: "We need more money now not less so we will still be busy but we're very optimistic. St Richard's is a local charity and is lucky to have the confidence and goodwill of local people."

He added that a lot of fundraising done in Malvern had been to cover the hospice's day-to-day running costs rather than for the new hospice appeal and this would continue.

Founded 22 years ago, St Richard's cares for 1,500 patients and their families each year, providing all of its services for free.

The new hospice will contain all the current hospice services and a 15-bed unit for patients with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

To make a donation, call 01905 763963.