A COMMUNITY group is hoping to raise thousands for their local hospice.

Connect UK is made-up of volunteers is aiming to raise money for the East Lancashire Hospice by hosting a range of events in the coming year.

This includes a vintage tea party, a Sky Dive and Bake Off competition, as well as a cycle challenge set to take place in 2016.

This will involve volunteers cycling between the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Eiffel Tower, Blackpool Tower and finally finishing at Darwen Tower, over the course of a gruelling 15-day trek.

The launch at Jan’s Conference Centre in Blackburn, heard speeches from Councillor Kate Hollern, John Root, who is taking part in the cycling challenge, and Dr Arshad Rafiq of Drakes Dental Care. Connect UK has already completed several projects within the area, including visiting residents at both Blackburn Hospital and East Lancashire Hospice on Christmas Day to spread some festive cheer.

Sharon Crymble, fundraising manager of East Lancashire Hospice said: “We are extremely touched that after the visit to the hospice on Christmas Day, with gifts for our patients, the group from Connect UK were so moved that they made the decision to raise funds to help us to continue to provide care to the people of our community.

“The energy and enthusiasm is unbelievable and this showed in abundance at their launch event – to be able to arrange it and get so many people involved in such a short space of time was impressive to say the least, but the night and the speeches, especially from 11-year-old Zayn and his mum, moved every single person in the room, and this showed in the messages and pledges from people wanting to give their support that followed.”

Chair of Connect UK Cllr Salim Sidat said: “It has always been known that the hospice do an amazing job and many of our members have participated to fundraise for them in the past.

“However visiting the hospice made it that much more personal, hearing from the patients and staff first hand just really highlighted how exceptional this service is.”