PATIENTS at a North-East hospice enjoyed lunch with a difference yesterday.

Day care patients at the Butterwick Hospice, in Stockton, were served lunch by Century FM radio presenter Paul "Goffy" Gough at the launch of the hospice's Precious Hours appeal. With Northallerton College, where volunteers raised £325, he helped get the appeal off to a flying start.

Fundraiser Barbara Marr said: "The cost of running the three hospices last year was about two-and-a-quarter million pounds.

"That's about £125 an hour for the adult hospice at Stockton, and £100 an hour each for our hospice at Bishop Auckland and the children's hospice.

"Although the hospice does receive some support from the NHS, the majority of its needs are met by fundraising."

The Precious Hours appeal asks people to try to raise money to fund an hour or more of care for the hospice of their choice.

Mrs Marr said: "The children's hospice, Butterwick House, is running at less than full capacity because of lack of funds, and staff would love to be able to expand their care to meet all the needs of the youngsters in our area.

"In Bishop Auckland we serve a largely rural population and, funds permitting, we would like to expand the service we provide to our patients in their own homes, who are prevented from travelling into the hospital because of their illness and the distance involved.

"We hope businesses, schools and individuals will help us do this by raising money through the Precious Hours campaign."

For more information, or to get involved, contact (01642) 624231.