CHARITY fundraisers hoping to build a much-needed extension to a beloved hospice say their appeal is off to an excellent start - thanks to readers of The Northern Echo.

Two months ago, the paper teamed up with St Cuthbert's Hospice in Durham City to launch the Key Appeal, a concerted drive to build a £3.2m extension which would provide round-the-clock specialist palliative care for terminally-ill patients.

Generous readers have been quick to respond and, at the last count, £36,200 had been donated from the initial round of fundraising.

Organisers say they are overwhelmed by the reaction so far.

Fundraiser Caroline Broadfoot said: "As well as the money coming in, we have had a great response from the public, offering either to volunteer or to hold a fundraising event for us."

People from all walks of life are pulling out all the stops to help raise the £1.3m which the hospice still needs to bring in to meet its ambitious targets:

* Young trendy pubgoers are doing their bit at The Walkabout Bar, in North Road, which is selling charity wristbands, with a £1 donation from each one going to St Cuthbert's.

* Office workers from BT Durham Receipting Centre are handing over £5,000, which they won from the company for their performance and have selected the hospice as their charity.

* Busy shoppers took time to dig deep during a sunflower collection day on Friday, June 24, in the city centre and raised £449.80.

* Genteel gardeners in the village of Tudhoe will open up their private plots to the public next week in exchange for a donation to the cause.

Organisers have a busy schedule of fundraising events to make sure the total keeps ticking ever upwards.

The hospice's charity shop in Claypath, Durham City, celebrates its fifth birthday tomorrow and will mark the occasion with a party from 9.30am to 4pm. There will be tea, coffee and cakes served throughout the day. In addition, there is to be a sale of jewellery, from modern to antique pieces.

Caroline Broadfoot said: "This is an opportunity to say thank you to our customers, the people of Durham City, for their support over the last five years trading in Durham and to ask for their continued custom in the future."

Throughout the two days of this weekend's Durham City summer festival, there will be a hospice stall on the Palace Green.

Finally, there will be a quiz night at the Salutation Inn, in Framwellgate Moor, on Wednesday, July 13, at 7pm. Admission is £1 each and teams of four are needed.