THE East Lancashire Hospice is the latest charity to back our appeal to save the Witton Park bonfire.

Based at Park Lee hospital, Blackburn, the hospice provides care and emotional support for people suffering from terminal or life-threatening illnesses.

It takes patients from Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

In 1999 the bonfire raised £2,000 for the hospice, a donation described by appeals manager Stuart Andrew as "invaluable".

Money went towards the cost of building a £1.3 million extension at the hospice. Beds available to the terminally ill will be increased from 25 to 100.

Mr Andrew said: "It just means that we are going to have a much-improved service.

"It will make ours a fantastic facility.

"All charities are finding it harder and harder to raise funds.

"When we hear that a regular event of this size is going to stop -- it's worrying news.

"The donation we received was invaluable to us. £2,000 is a lot of money.

"As far as we are concerned, every single pound that we receive is invaluable -- is is another pound that we don't have to worry about.

"We do need a partnership between local businesses and local charities.

"We are in a similar sort of position, people have come to think of the hospice being government funded, and that there is always a bottomless pit of money. "As well as £1.3 million pounds for the new unit, we have to raise £300,000 a year for running costs.

"It is just as hard for us to get that message across as it is for Rotaract.

"I would definitely urge local businesses to get behind the event."

The extravaganza is under threat because of a lack of cash.

Anyone who wants to support the campaign can make a donation with our coupons, or leave a message on the Lancashire Evening Telegraph website: let_letters@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk.