DARLINGTON hospice officials have praised the fundraising efforts of theatre staff and pantomime performers who have helped raise thousands for the facility.

St Teresa’s Hospice is a regular recipient of funds raised during audience collections at the town’s Christmas panto at the Civic Theatre, and this year was no different.

So far about £5,000 has been raised for the hospice, with money still to be counted up from Christmas performances and a further collection at the weekend.

To celebrate the amount raised, panto performers – including its stars The Chuckle Brothers – visited the hospice first hand to see where the money they helped raise is going.

David Jones, senior events and fundraising manager for S Teresa’s, said it was a “brilliant” occasion for all at the hospice and he praised the panto crew and Civic Theatre staff for their efforts.

He said: “It is great to have such great support through the collections at the Civic and the enthusiasm of the staff who go round with the buckets.

“It is absolutely brilliant support.”

Mr Jones said that during their visit to the hospice, the panto cast took the time to speak to many guests and patients and signed copies of the Chuckles of Oz adverts featured in a St Teresa’s Hospice newsletter.

The full amount raised for the hospice is expected to be known by the end of next week.