York hospice chiefs have given a big thank-you to the Evening Press and its readers for their vital help in making a dream come true.

The £2m target to build a much-needed extension to St Leonard's Hospice was achieved this summer, following the biggest appeal in the paper's history.

Presenting a special plaque to Evening Press editor Liz Page, St Leonard's fundraising manager Janet Morley (pictured left) said: "The adoption of our Millennium Appeal by the Evening Press made all the difference to our fundraising.

"For more than two years the paper provided wonderful coverage of all the thousands of fundraising events, keeping the appeal constantly before the public.

"And the readers responded magnificently in so many ways. Evening Press staff, too, joined in to raise funds for the appeal.

"Now that we have our new annexe built, we hope they will feel proud of their achievement. We are certainly very proud of them!"

Liz Page (pictured right) said: "When St Leonard's approached the Press to ask for our help with the £2 million appeal we agreed straight away - though it was by far the biggest appeal we have ever been associated with.

"As the money started to roll in, and we saw the enthusiasm of the whole community for the project, we knew we would make it - and we did!"

The plaque will hang in the Evening Press reception area as a permanent reminder of the close links between the newspaper, its readers and the hospice.

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