DONATIONS to a £780,000 hospice appeal have fallen during the recession, charity bosses have revealed.

Officials at Butterwick Hospice, in Stockton, have postponed setting a date for work to start on a two-storey building after noticing the fall.

About half the money towards the scheme has been raised by fundraisers from across the region.

Sue McCabe, the Butterwick Capital appeal manager, said: “We are almost half way there now, so we are not doing too badly, but we still have a long way to go.

“The donations have dried up a bit, but we are approaching lots of groups and organisations, so we are confident of reaching our target soon.

“There is so much demand these days for funding, it can be very hard. If everyone in the area donated £20, we would reach our target – that’s how close we are.”

Mrs McCabe said the hospice is working with Saint Gobain Building Distribution UK to explore ways of reducing the cost of the centre.

“We won’t be getting anything for free, but the company has agreed to help us save money so we can perhaps reduce our target.”

In January last year, the hospice launched the Put Your Foot In It campaign, which called on businesses and individuals to help raise the cash for the premises.

When completed, the hospice will be able to offer more care to patients and their families.

The building will cover 5,400sq ft over two floors, providing more counselling rooms for adults and a play area for children.

Extra individual therapy rooms will be created, along with a large area for group therapy sessions. The larger area will also double as an education room for hospice staff to share their expertise with other care providers.

The appeal received a boost this week as North-East actress Denise Welch agreed to become a patron.

She said: “I am delighted to offer my support. I know how much money is required to provide a loving, family atmosphere when children are in need of care.”

To donate, visit putyour footinit.org.uk or call 01642-607742.