JUST two weeks after The Bolton News called on readers to back our appeal for Bolton Hospice, the campaign has already topped the £5,000 mark.

Generous readers have thrown their support behind the campaign, which aims to raise £110,000 in 12 months, which will double the number of nurses available for Hospice at Home.

The Bolton News has joined forces with Bolton Hospice to raise the cash to mark the charity’s 20th anniversary and to raise awareness of the work the hospice nurses do offering end of life care to people in their own homes.

Already, after just two weeks, the total stands at £5,863, and the cash keeps coming.

Just days after having her photo featured in The Bolton News as the face of the appeal, Senior Sister Melanie Blain has been stopped in the street, on the school run, in the supermarket and out walking the dog by people giving her cash to support the appeal.

The mum-of-two said it had been completely overwhelming.

“The interest it has created in the Hospice at Home service is amazing. It is just an amazing start for the team and it is the power of the paper and the power of the press,” she said.

Alice Atkinson, director of funding at Bolton Hospice, said: “This is a tremendous start so a big thank you goes to all those who have supported the appeal so far.

“There’s still a long way to go to reach the £110,000 target but I’m heartened by the fantastic response we have had to our plans to extend this very important service.”

Bolton Hospice is encouraging people to complete 20 challenges to mark 20 years since the charity opened, or to choose a challenge and fundraise money for the appeal.

To find out more about the 20 challenges visit boltonhospice.org.uk/fund raising/challenge20.