BOLTON Hospice is appealing for readers to make their new year’s resolution count by donating money to the Hospice at Home Appeal.

All over Bolton people are quitting smoking, losing weight, stopping drinking and getting fit are as they resolve to make 2013 a healthier year.

Now people are being asked to donate the money would have spent on smoking or drinking to the Hospice at Home Appeal.

They are also being encouraged to get sponsored to get fit or lose weight or to achieve a resolution of their choice.

Marketing and administration manager at the hospice Daniel del Soldarlo, has pledged to give up drinking for the month.

It is hoped that money from people’s new year resolutions will be the final push the campaign needs to raise the target of £110,000.

The appeal, run by The Bolton News and Bolton Hospice, is raising money for the Hospice at Home service to pay for nurses to care for people at the end of their lives in their own homes.

So far, the appeal has raised more than £87,000, but it still has £23,000 to go.

The appeal was launched last January to commemorate the hospice’s 20th anniversary, with the hope that the target will be reached by the end of this financial year.

Fundraising manager Alice Atkinson, from Bolton Hospice, said: “This January we’re asking local people to pledge to support the Hospice at Home appeal with their new year’s resolutions — by turning them in to a sponsored challenge or donating the money they would have spent on what they’re giving up.

“Every penny raised will help ensure that local people facing life-limiting illnesses have the option of receiving our specialist hospice care in their own home.”