VOLUNTEERS and supporters are continuing to do their bit to ensure a Carlisle hospice can continue its vital work.

Fundraiser Don Marks is leading the Protect Our Local Hospice Campaign in a bid to raise £100,000 for Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria's Children's Hospice.

"We are getting a lot of help but it's getting hard and harder the way things are," he said. "The hospice has lost so much revenue. They only get 24 per cent from the Government and the rest had got to be made up in donations.

"Everybody is jumping on ship but we just can't lose the hospice. It's an incredible place."

"The people of Cumbria need to realise this will go.

"We know every charity is suffering."

Don has dedicated three days a week to volunteer. He has taken 250 collection boxes to points across the county and printed 30,000 leaflets to raise awareness.

One of them was picked up by Dr Charles Hanson, of Wetheral, who set himself the challenge of walking 86 miles before his 86 birthday on December 29.

Charles has already raised more than £6,000 and, although he is on track to complete the distance a month ahead of schedule, he's vowed to carry on to raise a much money as he can for the hospice.

Don added: "I want to say thank you on my behalf [to Charles]. I will be doing some more miles with him and we ask the people of Cumbria to support us in raising this £100,000."

Also among those who have shown their support is NHS worker Fiona Beattie, who launched an appeal to encourage 1,000 people to make a donation of any amount. She has also volunteered, helping deliver leaflets.

Fiona’s appeal has raised £2,500 thanks to 110 supporters so far and she’s hoping she can still reach 1,000 donations.

The 43-year-old, who works in the pharmacy at the Cumberland Infirmary, said: "I am amazed at how generous people have been during hard times so I’d like to thank everyone who has been in a position to donate or share my fundraising appeal.

"Helping the hospice is so important and any donation is so gratefully received."

Stephanie Lacaille-Burton, head of Marketing and Income Generation, at EVH and Jigsaw, has thanked everyone for their efforts.

She said: “Fiona’s dedication and commitment shown to the hospice over the past months has been amazing.

“At a time when local support means more to us than ever, her fundraising and volunteering efforts have made a real difference to those who need to access specialised, compassionate care.”

She added that Charles was "inspirational".