A GOLF tournament has raised £3,800 for a North-East hospice appeal.

The tournament for St Teresa's Hospice, in Darlington, was held in memory of golf fan Rob Niven, a Darlington architect who launched the hospice's Giving to Life appeal just days before he died.

The hospice is hoping to raise £250,000 to open a six bed full-time care unit in Darlington.

The care unit, which would serve people in the town and surrounding areas, would allow patients to receive around-the-clock care in the peaceful atmosphere of the hospice.

The golf day, arranged by Landteam, attracted 24 teams, including one from The Northern Echo.

A R Jolly Ltd of Brompton on Swale won the contest and the team was presented with the Rob Niven trophy by his wife Meg. The Echo team was runner-up.

Jane Bradshaw, from the hospice, said: "Although we offer a wide range of care options, if a patient does not wish to die at home, has problem symptoms or their carer can no longer cope alone, there are no local hospice beds available.

"We want to change this by opening a 24-hour unit to provide respite, palliative and terminal care.

"We are so pleased that local businesses have rallied round to help us and thank Landteam for organising such a successful event."

Anyone interested in joining the campaign should contact Craig Linton on (01325) 254319 or cldarlington-hospice.org.uk