TREES of hope will grow golden apples for generous givers in a new scheme to raise money for the East Lancashire Hospice £1.3m appeal.

Paintings of the trees will be given to pubs, offices, factories and any organisations that decide to raise money for the hospice's new daycare centre.

Pensioner Chris Fallows, of Wilpshire, Blackburn, has painted the pictures and hospice volunteer Susan Whittaker will present a red apple to hang on the tree for every £100 raised and a gold apple for every £500 raised.

Children can also enjoy giving with the hospice's sunshine smile pillow cases to be put up in primary schools and nurseries and fed with pennies.

Susan said: "We want to try and get children involved because cancer touches every family."

Fund-raising events include a Caribbean evening at the Cabin End pub, Knuzden, tomorrow at 8pm with a raffle.

Coffee mornings will be held at St Silas' recreation rooms, Preston New Road, Blackburn on Wednesday, March 10, from 10.30pm to 12.30pm with a raffle and bric-a-brac stalls, and at St James' Church, Lower Darwen, on Sunday, March 28, from 11.30am.

The appeal needs rooms which can be used free for coffee mornings, line dances and other events. Anyone who can help can contact Susan Whittaker on 01254 671914.

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