Vikings are set to go out on the fundraising rampage in York to boost the Evening Press Hospice 2000 Appeal. Dave Dale, Pam Bruce and Clare Taylor, who all work at the Jorvik Viking Centre, will dress up in traditional viking dress to woo shoppers into parting with their pounds on Thursday.

They have joined other shop workers from the Coppergate Centre in backing the appeal to build a new extension for St Leonard's Hospice - which now stands at £366,948.

The collection, which they hope will raise hundreds of pounds, will coincide with the official switch-on of York's Christmas lights.

And Diane Dickson, centre manager, said owners Land Securities, the company behind plans for an ambitious £60 million extension to the Coppergate Centre, would double anything made on the day.

"The Coppergate Centre is delighted to be helping St Leonard's Hospice in its fundraising efforts. The hospice is extremely important to the whole community and we must all have known someone who has benefited from their wonderful work," she said. Janet Morley, fundraising organiser for St Leonard's Hospice, said they were thrilled at the collection on their behalf.

"It's a lovely initiative at a lovely time of year to catch people's attention and remind them of the appeal," she said.

"People are always generous to us, but this is keeping their awareness going that the need is still there.

"We know that together with the people of York we will raise the money we need. It's so heartening to see the progress we have already made, but not surprising.

"People feel it's their hospice and it's thanks to them it's there and continues to offer such a good service."

The extension at the hospice in Tadcaster Road will provide greater comfort and privacy for patients as well as improved day care facilities, a wider range of therapies and increased support for families of the seriously ill.

The collection next week is one in a long line of fundraising activities which have swelled the appeal. The Evening Press would like to hear from anyone who can offer their help now or in the future.

Meanwhile, the hospice's Christmas shop opened yesterday to a fanfare of French horns from St Peter's School children. Pupils Charles Robinson and Matthew Welsh, who play in the York school's orchestra, helped launch the sale of the Christmas novelty pin on sale in the shop in Swinegate. The gilt pins, which cost £1, are also available for sale in offices or shops.

Mrs Morley said they hoped to raise thousands of pounds from the shop over the festive period to pay for day-to-day services at the hospice for people with life threatening illnesses.

For more information contact Janet Morley on 01904 781576.

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