GIANT birthday cards are circulating around Carlisle to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Eden Valley Hospice.

Schools and businesses are signing the five-ft high birthday cards to help celebrate the hospice's milestone this month. It opened on Durdar Road, Carlisle, in 1991 following a huge public appeal.

And today it is among the most treasured and respected of charities.

The Historic Quarter Network of businesses have joined forces to sign one giant card featuring a stunning photo of Carlisle Cathedral.

Will Tod, of Hayward Tod estate agents, said: “We all feel that the staff at Eden Valley Hospice do an amazing job and this is a nice way to remind them how much they are appreciated by everyone in Carlisle.”

Elsewhere, Matt Slessor at Armstrong Watson Accountants said: "Eden Valley Hospice is well known to many of our clients for the invaluable work that they do at the most vulnerable times in a person's life.

"Through our Gift It Back scheme, Armstrong Watson donate £50 to a charity of our clients' choice for referrals of friends or family to our staff. In many cases, our clients choose Eden Valley Hospice."

Jessica Scott-Lamont of steel merchants Thomas Graham said: "Thomas Graham and Sons are proud to have supported Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw Hospice over the last 30 years, and look forward to standing shoulder to shoulder with them for the next 30 years and beyond.”

Penrith Building Society’s Clare Harrison said: "We chose to support Eden Valley Hospice following feedback from both our staff and our members, who had personal experience of the wonderful work that they do.

"The services of Eden Valley Hospice not only provide comfort and support to the individual but also to their families, which is invaluable."

Kelly Cromie from Tesco said: "Tesco Carlisle are proud to be able to help celebrate Eden Valley Hospice’s 30th birthday.

“The hospice is a special place that has shown amazing support to our customers, colleagues and their families throughout the past 30 years and we will continue to support them in any way we can.”

And Amazon Carlisle’s delivery station manager David Milne added: “It was a pleasure to support Eden Valley Hospice as part of this year’s Amazon Goes Gold campaign.

“We hope the donation provides a boost to the staff and volunteers who do so much for the children in our community.”

In response, Stephanie Lacaille-Burton, head of income generation & marketing at Eden Valley, said: "Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice is so proud to be celebrating 30 years of care.

“It’s only down to the commitment and support of the local community that has made this possible.

“Individuals, organisations and businesses have all played a part in ensuring that patients and their families receive dignified and compassionate care at the most difficult of times and we’re delighted that they are helping us mark this 30th year.

“As a local independent charity, donations from the local community are vital to ensure the specialist care for those with life-limiting illnesses continues now and into the future.”