AT the beginning of a new year, and as the new chairman of Bolton Hospice, I should like to take the opportunity of thanking the many volunteers and friends of Bolton Hospice for their support throughout 2006.

We are fortunate to have more than 500 volunteers on our database, and the help and time they give in carrying out a variety of tasks is incalculable. All of these volunteers are from the Bolton area and give some of their free time so generously.

We are also grateful to the many Boltonians who made financial contributions to Bolton Hospice in different ways in 2006, and at this time it seems appropriate to thank those people who chose to make a donation to the hospice rather than send Christmas Cards.

I would like to thank all those who have contributed to The Bolton News Appeal for the Garden of Tranquillity at the hospice. This appeal has really caught the imagination of the people of Bolton and their support is truly outstanding.

In the challenge that we have to raise £1.3 million in 2007, I know that we can rely on the outstanding generosity of Bolton people to ensure that Bolton Hospice can continue to provide specialist palliative care to those in need. Happy New Year to all our volunteers and supporters.

Graham Yardley, Bolton Hospice chairman, Queens Park Street, Bolton