A COLLEAGUE with terminal cancer has inspired staff at a Darlington shopping centre to raise funds for St Teresa’s Hospice.

Staff at the Cornmill centre decided to come up with the fundraising ideas, after the centre’s service yard supervisor Russell Longstaff was diagnosed with a terminal cancer in December.

Mr Longstaff and his family have been receiving respite care and Hospice at Home support from St Teresa’s since the diagnosis.

The 51-year-old has worked at the Cornmill since it opened in 1992 and is a popular figure with the team and visitors alike.

Susan Young, centre manager at the Cornmill, says that they were keen to do something to show their support for Mr Longstaff and to raise funds for the hospice.

She said: “Russell is a much loved friend and colleague who I’ve had the pleasure to work with for the past 19 years.

“His commitment to the centre, his colleagues and visitors here is remarkable and we all wanted to do something to show our support to him and his family at this difficult time”.

Mr Longstaff’s wife, Bridget, said that the support from St Teresa’s is invaluable.

She said: “The team at St Teresa’s are like one big family and the support and care they are able to provide to families like ours in times of needs is excellent”.

The ‘Spend a Penny to Raise a Penny’ initiative will be in place for a week from Monday, May 27, closely followed by the Ladies Night featuring entertainment from the Centurions on Thursday, June 6, priced at £10 per person.

A further three events are in the planning stages and will be held over the next few months.

For more information, call 01325-369111 or email: info@cornmillcentre.co.uk