In her monthly column, St Teresa’s Hospice director Jane Bradshaw looks ahead to forthcoming events and appeals.

TRADITIONALLY, the first event of our fundraising year is our celebration of Burns Night on January 25, at Headlam Hall.

A Burns supper is organised by our good friend Simon MacConachie, and is supported by Barclays Bank. Thanks to them and everyone who came along to join in the fun and enjoy a Hospice Haggis, the event has raised over £2,000.

The spirit of the blitz reigned in Sadberge at the start of this month, as the village hall was transformed into the picture of the fabulous Forties by a team of fundraisers for a canteen dance party.

Organiser Cassie Cooper put the event together with Darlington Operatic Society in aid of the hospice in memory of her late aunt Barbara Cooper, a former chairwoman of the society and a good supporter of the hospice.

We’re delighted that Cassie raised over £1,400 to be split between St Teresa’s Hospice and Cancer Research UK.

A fantastic team will be honoured at the Vibe Awards on March 11.

They are a team of young people in Darlington who raised the fantastic total of £1,043.68 by completing the Three Peaks Challenge - something that would make most full-grown adults think twice.

The Peak Panthers climbed Scafell Pike, Snowdon and Ben Nevis in September 2012, and I’m delighted that they’re being recognised for their fantastic effort.

Finally, we wish a huge ‘good luck’ to Marie, Michelle and Keith, who are, as I write, cycling across Asia from Saigon to Bangkok – a distance of over 500 miles!

They’re raising money in memory of Marie’s best friend Tracey Willis and her uncle Mick Kilvington, and are due to reach Thailand at the start of March.

To support them, visit justgiving.com/Traceywillis