THE East Lancashire Hospice's £1.3million appeal has topped £200,000 this week, after a year of fund-raising.

The fund for better day care facilities at the Park Lee site, Blackburn, now stands at £201,107 after gifts of more than £18,000 were received this week.

One of the biggest donations this week was from telephone operators based at the Jubilee Street exchange, Blackburn, who gave £3,000.

Operator Elaine Worden said they had raised the money during a year of events including raffles, cake sales and coffee mornings.

She said: "More than £2,000 was raised in one night through a Millennium dinner and disco at Marigolds, Darwen."

Other gifts include:

In memory of loved ones, £1,590; in lieu of 80th birthday gifts, D Barrett, £130; Audley Health Centre, £22; St Leonard's PCC, Balderstone, £50; Fountain video and off licence, £355; Blackburn and Darwen Council in memory of colleague, £126; Balloon sales, £1,542; Aircrew Association East Lancs Branch, £25.

South West Charitable Giving, £17; Yorkshire Building Society, Blackburn, £1,084; Blackburn Hospital Players, £1,000; St Gabriel's CE School carol service, £200; Kentucky Fried Chicken, £69; General donations, £15; Imperial Home Decor Group, £128; Chatburn Millennium Committee, £25. West View pub collection box, £14; Ribblesdale Rotary Club, £495; 200 Club, £274; Lammack Methodist Church, £35; Blackburn Golf Club, £226; Traders Arms collection box, £10; J Wardleworth, £102; Debenhams, Blackburn, £2,638.

Solitaire Fashion Show, £550; Herbert Parkinson charity committee, £100; Childsplay playgroup, £106; Murder Mystery evening, £50; Whalley Methodist Ladies, £10; Volunteers loose change jar, £3; Blackburn Rotaract bonfire, £3,000.

If you want to help the appeal, call the East Lancashire Hospice Appeals Office on 01254 660900 or Amy Binns at the Lancashire Evening Telegraph on 01254 678678 ext 208.

Donations can be made at any Natwest branch into the East Lancashire Hospice Fund Day Care Unit Appeal account, sort code 01-00-85 a/c 12804509.

Picture shows Jubilee Street exchange workers' social committee members presenting the £3,000 cheque. Left to right are Neil Taylor, Richard Sutlieff (East Lancashire Hospice), Jean Foulds, Julie Toplis, Elaine Worden and Sandra Wright.

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