IN this column on Tuesday, The Northern Echo urged our readers to support the Butterwick Hospice, after bosses revealed the huge impact former chief executive Graham Leggatt-Chidgey’s fraud has had on funds, supporters and staff.

As the week went on, we reflected that because his actions in using the company credit card for his own personal gain and initial denials of guilt had been so very damaging to the Butterwick’s reputation, this column alone was not enough.

The Echo, which has had a long affinity with the hospice, felt more must be done, and that is why today we launch our “I’m backing Butterwick” campaign urging the public to get behind the charity and highlighting what it means to the people of the North-East.

As part of today’s coverage, we publish Andy Tingle’s story, and that of Matthew Bacon, who was the first child to be referred to Butterwick Children’s Hospice back in 1998.

The articles tell similar tales of two families, almost 20 years apart, in receipt of care, love and comfort from the charity at times of desperate need.

Their heartfelt words, and the space we have devoted to their stories today hopefully goes some way to dispelling any lingering doubts about the charity, and we will continue to focus on its good work and fundraising efforts over the coming weeks and months.

The services it provides are too important to let the actions of one dishonest man get in the way.

We are backing the Butterwick – are you too?