RARELY has a charity donation been so comprehensively "rigged" as when this hard-hatted bringer of good news came to St Leonard's Hospice, York.

For Bryan Nelson was bringing a cheque for £1,140 for our Hospice 2000 Appeal from further afield than usual - from workers on a Talisman rig, the Claymore Alpha, 120 miles off the coast of Aberdeen.

Bryan, who has worked on the rigs for more than 25 years, was one of 120 men who were working over the Christmas period and took part in a raffle.

Traditionally the winner of the last ticket is allowed to choose a charity to benefit from the raffle proceeds. When Bryan rang his wife Hazel at their Haxby home to tell her he had won she suggested our appeal.

Bryan said: "The donation comes from all of the men on the Talisman rig. Hazel and I wanted to support a local charity and we decided to put it towards the Hospice 2000 Appeal which will help St Leonard's provide the care and services that this community needs."

Janet Morley, hospice fundraising manager, said: "News of our Millennium Appeal is spreading! We are thrilled that Bryan and Hazel chose the appeal and, on behalf of St Leonard's, I would like to thank everyone on the Claymore Alpha for this generous donation."

Meanwhile, members of the British Sugar Sports and Social Club have presented local hospice representatives Ossie and Margot Johnston with a cheque for £1,000.

A Christmas Eve party raised £100 and a highly successful '60s and '70s Night raised £560 through entrance tickets, competitions - including a women's fancy dress - a raffle and a generous donation of £60. DJ for the event, Dave Clarke, gave his time free of charge. A company donation of £340 brought the total to £1,000.

British Sugar and its employees have helped St Leonard's since before it was built.

Phyllis Bridges, chairman and secretary of the social club for the last ten years, said: "I would like to thank everyone who supported the events and gave so willingly. The hospice's redevelopment will mean that St Leonard's will be able to care for more patients and their families when they most need help, and we are pleased to offer our continuing support."

Updated: 11:13 Saturday, February 17, 2001