TODAY we launch our We're Backing Bury Hospice campaign to get people to support this fantastic service.

We are calling on people across the borough to help the hospice in any way they can, whether it is through donations, fundraising events or volunteering their time and services.

Saturday is the start of Hospice Care Month and there has never been a better time to get involved.

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The hospice has been through a turbulent time recently but with a new team at the helm, there is a fresh determination to succeed and continue to provide first-class end-of-life care to people, as well as support for their families.

And, in keeping with the hospice's theme, we are urging people to paint the town yellow this month — the colour of the hospice movement — to raise awareness of the first-class care the hospice provides, as well as raising vital funds to support it.

Throughout October, under the theme of Do Something Sunny for Money, staff and volunteers from the hospice are urging patients and their loved ones in backing the charity in what will be its biggest month of 2016 — its 25th-anniversary year.

Hospice leaders are encouraging supporters to take a yelfie — a yellow selfie — and upload it to social media, make a donation by texting YELF13 to 70070, and are challenging family and friends to follow suit.

The hospice, in Rochdale Old Road, needs £2.1 million a year to run and gets £420,000 from the NHS, leaving £1.68 million to raise through donations.

Hospice fundraiser Michelle King said: "We decided it would be a good idea to incorporate the colour into our fundraising activities during this special month and would love as much support as possible.

"You can dress up in the most outrageous, bright, best or a ridiculous yellow outfit and donate by text."

Staff also want supporters to incorporate yellow into other fundraising ideas.

"Whether it's wearing yellow for the day, baking yellow cakes or guessing how many yellow sweets are in a jar or something more imaginative, then the hospice wants to hear from you," said Michelle.

She added: "It's a chance to add some colour as winter closes in while also helping the hospice, which costs £5,000 a day to run and offers care and support not only to people approaching the end of life, but to their families and friends as well."

The Bury Times will be right behind the Hospice Care Month campaign, bringing you updates in every edition throughout October.

There will always be weekly insights into what goes on at the charity and stories of people who make it a wonderful place to be, plus more coverage at burytimes.co.uk

Bury Times editor Mike Crutchley said: “The care provided by the hospice is exceptional.

"We constantly hear moving stories about what a difference the hospice has made to people in their final days and how it has also helped families come to terms with losing a loved one.

"Along the walls of the corridor, there are messages from relatives, thanking staff for everything they have done. It is difficult to read more than a couple of them without tears in your eyes.

"It is often the little things that make a huge difference to people at such a difficult time, and the hospice really has thought of everything it can to help.

"It is vital that it continues to receive the funding and support it needs to carry on making a real difference."

Hospice trustee Paul Horrocks said: "As a charity that has helped so many people across Bury, we are fortunate to have so much support from so many people.

"We have been overwhelmed with the backing the hospice has had in recent months, with events such as the recent 10km run proving very popular, and we hope it continues throughout this very special month, so please — get behind us."

Call 0161 797 1748, extension 216, to get help organising your fundraising event or visit buryhospice.org.uk

You can also email your fundraising event pictures to burynews@newsquest.co.uk