EAST Lancashire's three hospices are joining forces for the first time in a major appeal to raise £100,000 for patient care.

Helmshore company Musbury Fabrics has donated a brand-new Mini Cooper car -- similar to the one in new movie The Italian Job -- for a giant raffle.

The raffle was launched today at Musbury Fabrics Mill Shop, when the car was unveiled in front of officials and committee members from Rossendale Hospice, Rawtenstall, Pendleside Hospice, Reedley, and East Lancashire Hospice, Blackburn.

It is the largest single appeal ever conducted by the three hospices, which cover the whole area.

Tickets for the raffle will go on sale today and cost £1. The draw for the Mini Cooper, which has been supplied by Prestons of Colne, will take place in August 2004. During the next 12 months the mini will be on show at events throughout the area.

Stuart Andrew, of East Lancashire Hospice, said: "This is the largest joint appeal we have ever been involved in but it is very important for the future of the care given by the hospices in the East Lancashire area.

"Donations and local fundraising are crucial to keeping the doors of the hospices open in the area.

"There is a popular myth that we are wholly funded by the NHS. On average the independent hospice in the UK has to find 75 per cent of it is funds from donations. "That is why we are delighted to have the chance to boost our funds with the Mini Raffle.

"We are very grateful to the generosity of Musbury Fabrics."

Musbury Fabrics managing director Alistair Mitchell, said: "Fundraising is key to the continuing good work that the hospices do for our communities. So we were keen to do something that would capture people's imagination and encourage them to give.

"The directors decided to give a sizeable donation to charity and by donating the car it will enable a much larger sum to be raised in aid of this very worthy cause.

"The car will star at a lot of events over East Lancashire over the next 12 months and by making the raffle a success, the Musbury Mini will become a symbol of how much ordinary people care about their hospices."