A MONTH-LONG effort has seen thousands of pounds raised to help Bury Hospice provide end-of-life care.

More than £45,000 has been raised during Bury Hospice Care Month - one of the most important events in the hospice’s fundraising calendar.

Kind-hearted residents have held various events, dressed in yellow, donated, volunteered at the hospice, and raised awareness throughout last month as part of the campaign.

Hundreds of people poured into Middleton Arena for the ‘Let them Shine’ event which raised £27,000, closing off the campaign in spectacular fashion.

Bury Hospice Care Month aims to raise awareness, expel myths that surround hospice care, and get the community thinking about what it can do to help.

Dozens of events have taken place featuring the colour yellow - the colour of the Hospice Movement.

Since starting BHCM three years ago, the campaign has continued to grow, and residents are coming forward to suggest their own October events rather than these being hospice-led.

A hospice spokesman said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the public seems to be taking our campaign to its heart and we cannot thank people enough for getting involved, helping us to raise funds, create awareness for our cause and carry our messages to the six towns communities.

“Thanks also to the Bury Times for supporting BHCM for the entire month of October and for helping us to promote our events and those that have been organised on our behalf in support of the campaign.”

The hospice also expressed huge gratitude that its BHCM logo has been used on t-shirts for fundraising walks and runs, and specially-created banners at community events.

Bury Hospice, in Rochdale Old Road, needs around £2.1million each year to run, but only 18 per cent of the funds coming from the NHS.

Events such as BHCM, Glaston-Bury, the Bury 10k and Rainbow Colour Run are vital to enable the hospice to run.