Christmas came early for our St Leonard's Hospice appeal - when Santa arrived with a sackful of cash.

The bagful of money - more than £2,000 - came partly from a Dickensian theme night which marked the switching on of the Coppergate Centre's Christmas lights on November 19.

Staff at all the shops in the centre dressed in Victorian outfits and collected donations from members of the public in aid of the Evening Press appeal.

It raised more than £1,000 for the Hospice 2000 appeal - and Coppergate Centre owners Land Securities doubled that to a magnificent £2,158.

Tim Flanagan of Polo PR which represents the company said: "A number of shops in Coppergate felt that they could make a good contribution towards the St Leonard's Appeal as it is a very good cause."

The Evening Press Hospice 2000 appeal is to raise £2 million over the next two years for a much-needed extension to St Leonard's Hospice.

It will mean greater comfort and privacy for patients at the Tadcaster road hospice, as well as improved day care facilities, a wider range of therapies, and increased support for families of the seriously ill.

There will also be new training facilities which will mean hospice staff can pass on the benefits of their skill and experience to other health care workers.

How to help and how to make donations...

If you can help with the appeal, or have an idea for raising cash, contact Janet Morley at St Leonard's Hospice Fundriasing Centre at 12/14 York Road, Acomb YO24 4LU, or ring 01904 781576, fax 780817, or ring Stephen Lewis at the Evening Press on 01904 653051 ext 356.

Pay directly to the hospice's special new bank account with NatWest in Market Street, York. Account number 36572608, sort code 56-00-70. Cheques payable to St Leonard's Hospice.

Pay by cheque sent to Karen Russell, finance and fundraising manager, c/o St Leonard's Hospice Fundraising Centre, 12/14 York Road, Acomb, York YO24 4LU. Cheques payable to St Leonard's Hospice.

Pay be credit card by calling 01904 781576. You should also call this number if you are organising a fundraising event.

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