CREW from Sunderland's adopted warship HMS Ocean yesterday presented a cheque for £750 to St Benedict's Hospice.

The money was raised in the bar of the warrant officers' and chiefs' mess. It will go towards a £750,000 target to enable the hospice carry out a £1.5m refurbishment of its building.

Fundraising co-ordinator Anne Oliver said: "They wanted to relate to something in Sunderland because of the service we provide and the amount people it touches."

Chief Warrant Officer and mess president Barrie Cooke said: "We are happy to have begun this partnership with St Benedict's and hope it will continue in the future.

"We hope our fundraising will in some way go towards making people's lives a little bit more comfortable."

HMS Ocean sets sail today at 1pm from Sunderland and will return to it home dock in Plymouth. It is involved in a number of charitable projects, such as raising money for schools and community projects.

Captain Tony Johnstone-Burt said: "The crew love raising money."