Kind-hearted people who want to help a much needed Cumbrian charity are being encouraged not to get dressed, but to laze around in their pyjamas all day.

Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland want businesses, workplaces and individuals to host a “PJ party” to raise funds for, and awareness of, their vital work in the county.

Fundraiser Julie Blundell explained: “It can range from wearing your PJs, bed socks, sleep masks or whatever you feel would be appropriate.

“You could hold the PJ party at work, school, or in your own home with your family and friends.”

The parties could include various fundraising activities, such as a small donation to wear your pyjamas, a cake sale, raffle, a collection tin or any other schemes.

There is no minimum fundraising expectation and Julie said: “Every penny raised will make a difference.”

Hospice at Home are hosting their own event on Friday, October 18 but she pointed out: “It could be on another date of your choosing.”

Sam Davis of the charity added that it was the first time they had tried a PJ party.

“It is brand new event for us,” she said.

“We’d like people to sign up on the website and we will send out a free PJ party pack. Anyone can host one.

“We hope schools will get involved.”

Every week Hospice at Home look after more than 7,900 patients in north and east Cumbria with terminal or life-threatening illnesses who prefer to remain in their own homes, in familiar surroundings, rather than enter a hospice that might be a distance from their loved ones in a large county.

They also provide support for families and carers.

The organisation covers an area of 1,500 square miles that stretches from the Scottish border as far south as Allonby and as far east as Alston. It provides services such as physiotherapy, occupational or complementary therapy and nursing care.

It receives more referrals every week and needs to raise over £20,000 per week to meet demand and maintain its work.

It has been able to buy a new van thanks to a £10,000 donation from the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of the parent company of Newsquest Cumbria, publishers of the News & Star.

The vehicle is being used by staff and volunteers to transfer stock between its shops in Carlisle, Penrith and Wigton, collect and deliver donations, and carry equipment for events.

Generous festival goers at Kendal Calling have also helped, by giving almost £13,000 in donations to the charity this year

It brings the total from Kendal Calling over the years to around £61,000.

Hospice at Home will also have stands at the Appleby, Keswick and Penrith shows this month.

For more information about how to get involved go to the website at www.hospiceathome.co.uk

Alternatively phone the fundraising office on 01768 210719.