Thanks a million - we've reached the first major milestone in our Hospice 2000 appeal.

Celebrating reaching the £1 million mark for the appeal are St Leonard's Hospice staff, foreground, Sue Spence, and left to right, Barbara Jackson, Janet Morley, Karen Russell, Cyril Reynolds, Tony Ravenscroft, Helen Moreton, Judith Metcalfe and Elaine Winstanley

TOTAL RAISED SO FAR

£1,000,239.57

It's taken many months of hard work and donations both large and small to get to the first £1million.

Staff celebrated today at St Leonard's Hospice in Tadcaster Road - and said a big thank you to all the people who helped them get there.

The total now stands at £1,000,239, and was pushed over the million mark in a remarkable week when more than £20,000 flowed into the hospice coffers.

Now fundraisers are gearing up to the next big task - to raise the second million needed for the hospice to be extended and its services enhanced so it can help even more local people.

They have vowed to leave no stone unturned in their efforts to make that final target.

A delighted Karen Russell, finance and fundraising manager for the hospice, said: "We are absolutely thrilled.

"Out of the blue we had more than £20,000 in one week, made up of lots of individual donations.

"It goes to show just how much every single gift counts and makes a difference. We want to say a very big thank you to everyone, it is a fantastic amount."

She added there had been an especially good response to a double-page advertisement feature in the Evening Press last week.

"As St Leonard's is in its 15th anniversary month it is a very fitting tribute to the work that the medical and nursing staff do in caring for patients."

She added: "We know there are a lot of people planning slims and runs and walks who would welcome sponsorship. There are businesses running promotions and big events being organised - like the Millennium Sunflower Ball in June and Let's Party in July.

"We would be delighted to speak to anyone or any business or organisation who might be able to help, or who wants to get involved."

The hospice has always depended on voluntary donations and community fundraising.

Karen added: "It really is a local charity helping local people and, whilst we don't underestimate the size of the task ahead, we know the people of York and the surrounding area will not let us down.

"When the appeal was launched with the Evening Press at the end of 1998 we coined the slogan Time To Care Together, and that is what it is all about."

Telephone the hospice fundraising centre on York 781576 for more information about the appeal and the Millennium Project or about major events coming up.

Also see Hospice 2000 section

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.