THE campaign to build a new hospice extension offering round-the-clock care for terminally-ill patients has passed a major milestone.

St Cuthbert's Hospice, in Durham City, set itself a mountain to climb when it launched its Key Appeal to build the £3.2m extension.

But now, thanks in part to the generosity of Northern Echo readers, the end is in sight.

The hospice now has less than £1m left to raise, following a recent spate of major donations to the cause.

The appeal to build the 10-bed extension, which will offer palliative care for patients with life-threatening illnesses, was launched in May to celebrate the hospice's 18th birthday.

Fundraisers had already raised £1.9m, leaving the hospice £1.3m short of the target. So far, the appeal has brought in £430,000 - leaving them just £870,000 short.

Hospice fundraising manager Chantelle Dingley said: "It's a huge milestone, but we still need to reach the total before April next year - so now the challenge is on.

"It's brilliant, and it's thanks to the community of Durham because, without them, we couldn't have made it.

"But it is important we get there, because the extension will mean more patient care, better facilities and it will mean we can meet the individual needs of the people who come here."

Since 1988, the dedicated team at the hospice has offered specialist daycare to thousands of patients, many of them being nursed through the final days of their lives, but they have to shut their doors at the end of the day.

Now they want to build a ten-bed unit which will provide:

* accommodation for families and carers to stay close to their loved ones;

* a base for Macmillan nurses, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and complementary therapies;

* an education department and library for those who need to learn more about palliative care;

* a chapel.

The money was still pouring in yesterday, when Alan Walton, captain of Durham City Golf Club, handed over £1,000 raised during his year in office. He was joined by Tom Park, of Langley Insurance, which sponsored the club's charity competition, and Mary Vine, secretary of the club's ladies' section.

The money was raised with a series of activities at the 108-year-old club.

But the lion's share was raised during August's charity day, in which club members played in a charity competition and the ladies' section set up a marquee at the ninth hole selling sandwiches.

Mr Walton said: "Dignity is something we should treasure, and I have nothing but admiration for the good work done by the hospice, supporting the community but, principally, supporting the individuals who come here and helping them preserve their dignity."