BURY Hospice has officially launched its 'Sponsor a Nurse' campaign, hoping to raise £1 million to support patient care.

The campaign, which will run indefinitely, is encouraging generous backers to ‘give a gift of care’ to patients, their families, and carers.

Hospice staff heralded the launch on Friday at a stall in the Mill Gate centre, while other hospice officials were out in force around the town centre to raise awareness.

Vickie Butcher, the hospice’s fundraising manager, said: “The launch went really well on Friday and we had a really positive reaction from the people of Bury.

“We had lots of people coming to donate and saying they want to get involved in the campaign, which is exactly what we were hoping for.

“We want the whole community to get involved and feel like they are a part of what we’re doing, because this is their hospice after all.

“I think it makes a real difference when there is something tangible that people can see what their money is going towards.

“This campaign is all about improving the care our patients receive and furthering the wonderful work our nurses already do.

"At a time when patients and carers feel anxious and fearful, our teams are there to give them reassurance and offer support."

Every donation received by the campaign will go towards improving care provisions for patients being treated by the hospice and their families.

This year’s Bury Art Festival recently raised £10,000 towards the campaign after selling 217 pieces of art during the week-long exhibition at Bury Art Museum.

* A donation of £20 pays for a nurse for one hour, £140 for a day, £700 for a week, and £3,000 for a month.

To donate: call 0161 7971748; visit sponsoranurse.co.uk; or text NURS15 followed by the amount you wish to donate. For example: ‘NURS15 £20’ to 70070.