A fundraising campaign to open a six-bed full-time care unit at St Teresa's Hospice, in Darlington, has reached its first major milestone.

The hospice wants to raise £250,000 to open the unit, which will allow people who need respite and palliative care to get treatment around the clock.

Once the six bedrooms are open, the hospice will then need to raise money each year to keep the unit staffed and running.

The appeal was launched three months ago by Glenn Pickersgill and is being run in memory of Darlington architect Rob Niven, who died of liver cancer this year.

Mr Niven's family is hoping to encourage businesses to pledge £100 a month to the campaign to ensure funding does not dry up.

The most recent donations have included money from GW Stephenson (Wholesale) Limited, in Newton Aycliffe, and £1,000 from Thomas Armstrong Construction.

These amounts have helped the hospice reach its first milestone and the appeal total is now £51,295.

The Northern Echo is supporting the campaign and anyone who would like to get involved is asked to call (01325) 254319 or e-mail corporatefundraising@darlington-hospice.org.uk