OUR Hospice 2000 Appeal has hit the £1.4 million mark - helped by an unexpected legacy of £15,000.

Father Tom Mylod, of English Martyrs' Roman Catholic Church, in Dalton Terrace, who heads the chaplaincy team at St Leonard's Hospice, celebrated by making the latest addition to the giant sunflower "petalometer" outside the Tadcaster Road building.

It means the hospice's Millennium Appeal now stands at £1,409,660, a figure reached more quickly than anticipated thanks to the bequest from the estate of a York resident.

Hospice fundraising manager Janet Morley said: "We are absolutely thrilled to have reached this point in the appeal.

"We knew that £1.4 million was attainable soon, but this means that we are going all out for £1.5 million!

"It is particularly exciting, too, as now we can see the results of our appeal in the shape of the construction work going on alongside the hospice to give us the new annexe so badly needed for our patients."

Janet said: "Legacies are so important to the hospice's future, and when they come out of the blue like this they give us a great boost. We have a great sense of gratitude, not only for the legacy, but also to all who have helped us get to this point."

Meanwhile, two important new appointments have been made at St Leonard's Hospice.

Jackie Turpin, 40, has joined the senior management committee as finance manager and company secretary.

A chartered accountant, Jackie is responsible for all aspects of finance and IT at the hospice.

She was educated at the former Mill Mount Grammar School in York and Manchester University.

Jackie said: "I am delighted to join the hospice in York and I have been so impressed with the commitment of staff. I look forward to working with everyone at this crucial stage of the Millennium Project and Appeal."

The position of Anglican representative on the hospice chaplaincy team has been filled by the Rev Martin Baldock, following his induction as Vicar of St Edward the Confessor, Dringhouses.

He said: "I hope to become quickly familiar with the ethos and philosophy of the hospice and I am looking forward to sharing the work of the team."

The Come And Sing Messiah in York Minster on Saturday, October 14, as part of the world-wide BT Voices for Hospices is an opportunity for all to go along to support the appeal, either by taking part or listening as part of the audience.

For more information, or if you want to organise an event, contact the fundraising centre at 14 York Road, Acomb, York, YO24 4LU, telephone 01904 781576.