Fund-raising executive of Help the Hospice, David Burland was guest speaker at the Hospice at Home annual meeting at Penrith Rugby Club.

Income for the charity, which cares for and supports people with terminal illnesses and their families in their own homes, has seen an increase in funding over the past 12 months, with events organised by the Volunteer Fund-raising Committee raising in excess of £30,000 and events and organisations which members have supported raising above £65,000, making a total of more than £95,000.

The charity was set up in December, 2002 under the name of north Lakeland Hospice at Home and on June 24, 2003 the charity changed its name to Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland to reflect the increased area covered by its work.

The charity's company secretary, ex-chairman Andrew Thorneley, said in his annual report that there had been a substantial increase in recorded donations and gifts and in grants received. Donations and gifts included £10,500 income from the Nile Challenge Cycle Ride undertaken by Fiona Stobart and Gill Bowen. Grants Receivable included £20,000 first year funding for the planned Bereavement Support Service together with £20,000 from the Tubney Charitable Trust and £6,500 from Kingmoor Park Properties Charitable Trust.

Mr Thorneley said: "We would like to take this opportunity to offer our sincere thanks to all our supporters including committee members in Cumbria and beyond. The support, often unsolicited, which we receive, gives great encouragement to us to continue our work in providing our service.

"Our gratitude extends to those who work with us without charge or at reduced cost, including Harrison and Hetherington Group payroll services; Peter and Margaret Bond office accommodation; Jim and Audrey Askew design of newsletter and publicity materials and Reeds Penrith printing."

Nurse manager Fiona Stobart said in her report: "The year has seen 301 referrals to the service, 21 per cent of which were individuals with diagnoses other than cancer."

First year funding had been secured from the NHS to develop the Bereavement Support Service by Hospice At Home Carlisle North Lakeland. The Service would complement the existing nursing and support provided by Hospice at Home, and would be offered to relatives, carers and significant others of those who have been helped by the charity.

The service woould be run by a paid part-time co-ordinator and would rely on volunteers managed by Mrs Stobart. The first six volunteers had now been recruited and their training as begun.

Anyone who would like to be a volunteer can contact Mrs Stobart on 01228-603208.