THE appeal to build an in-patient unit at St Cuthbert's Hospice in Durham has received a boost from a high street store chain.

Catalogue shop Argos is backing the hospice movement nationally over the next two years, and money raised locally from the link-up will go towards the hospice's £1.3m Key Appeal towards the £3.2m cost of a ten-bed palliative care unit.

Work has already started on the project at the hospice, in Merryoaks, and a recent mailshot to 80,000 homes has brought in £42,000.

Collecting boxes have been placed on the counter at Argos stores in North Road, and on the Durham Retail Park, both in Durham, and at the store in Front Street, Chester-le-Street. The partnership was launched on Saturday as the chain issued its new catalogue.

Hospice fundraising assistant Ann Weir said: "This will mean that even more local people will become aware of the hospice and its work and hopefully it will raise lots of money.''

Last month, the hospice received £6,300 in donations. Mrs Weir said: "We are definitely pleased with that, but we have lots of money promised down the line.''

Among the donations is £1,000 raised by members of the crew of HMS Invincible, the city's adopted warship, who cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats in six days.

On Sunday, August 13, hospice volunteer Keith Tweddle is opening the garden of his home, at 5 Cornwall Walk, Belmont, between 1pm and 4pm to raise money for the hospice. Admission is by donation.

A members-only golf day, sponsored by Langley Moor Insurance, will be held at Durham City Golf Club on Saturday, August 27, and the White Tun pub at Witton Gilbert will hold a fun day on Bank Holiday Monday, August 29, which will include a men v women fancy-dress football match and evening disco.

Steve Palmer, manager of the Argos store on the Durham Retail Park, in McIntyre Way, Dragonville, said: "I'm sure we'll be doing various events, such as fancy dress, sponsored face painting for our staff and customers to get involved. It is using the Argos name, which is a powerful brand, to do some good in the community.''