Fundraisers in Thirsk celebrating the second anniversary of a successful campaign have now generated almost £70,000 for a hospice charity.

From their original Jubilee raffle in 2022 to successful subsequent initiatives such as "host a roast", family fun days, pop-up-shop and their Influmental event, the Thirsk Friends of the Lambert fundraising group have gone above and beyond to help Herriot Hospice Homecare open Herriot Hospice@The Lambert, in Thirsk.

The charity is putting the finishing touches to the transformation of the former Lambert Memorial Hospital, which will house existing homecare, wellbeing and bereavement services as well as providing an inpatient unit for those living with terminal illness.

With only 25 per cent government funding, Herriot Hospice Homecare relies on the generosity of the public to raise the vital funds it needs.

Tony Collins, chief executive, said: “We are so grateful for the fundraising this wonderful group are doing to support the opening of our new hospice. We simply couldn’t make our new local hospice happen, as well as our existing homecare, without the support of the community.

"We’re looking forward to celebrating the opening of Herriot Hospice@The Lambert this year with the group and those that have helped make it happen. Community support like this is essential to ensure we can continue providing our services when local people need them most."

Not content with the near-£70,000 total raised for far, the Friends group is organising a Gathering in the Gardens event at Thirsk Hall Sculpture Garden on Thursday, July 18, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, a shopping event at Brockholme Barns on Thursday, September 26, from 2pm to 8pm and a "new to you sale" on Saturday, October 19 at Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall.

Dawn Smith, chair of the group, said: “On behalf of our team I would like to thank everyone for their continued support. We have lots more events planned for this year and we will endeavour to keep raising funds for our wonderful hospice.”

To buy tickets for the group’s events contact Dawn 07774 983275.

The project to open Herriot Hospice@The Lambert has cost more than £1.7m, and is on track to open soon.