BOXING hero Scott Quigg is hoping to deliver a big boost to Bury Hospice, after becoming a patron for the troubled charity.

The former world champion visited the hospice last week for a tour of their Rochdale Old Road base and was moved by the stories he heard from volunteers and the messages of thanks left by patients' families.

The 27-year-old, who is currently recovering after suffering a broken jaw in his defeat to Carl Frampton in March, has now urged his fans to show their support for the hospice too.

He told the Bury Times: "Being here today, I have got a more in depth view of what happens and have seen the need for more support from the public in terms of funding.

"What they are doing here is making people's last few days, or however long they have left, comfortable.

"Reading a couple of the notes left by families makes your eyes start to water, so does talking to the volunteers.

"Patients and their families going through these awful things really need support. This place does a wonderful job and it needs help to make sure it can continue that.

"After the hard times the hospice has been through, it needs its profile building again and to get people behind it.

"My eyes have been opened to what the good people here do for the people of Bury. They are making a big difference."

Hospice leaders are optimistic that Scott's support will help generate a much-needed boost in fundraising and create a more positive atmosphere.

In March, the hospice sacked former chief executive, Jacqui Comber, after an independent investigation was launched into the charity's massive losses following the move to their new premises, as well as allegations of bullying and a lack of facilities for patients.

Hospice fundraiser Michelle King said: "I met Scott quite a few years ago, he was one of our celebrities for a Bury fun run. It was before he was really famous but we all knew that he was going to get there.

"He's a lovely lad, really down to earth and genuine. He would do anything for anyone.

"He's someone who I always wanted to be a part of the hospice, because he is a local lad who is well liked and well respected in Bury. He is exactly the kind of person we want to be associated with and just having his name associated with the hospice is of huge benefit to us.

"The hope is that seeing Scott here will encourage more people to get involved with supporting the hospice.

"If he can attend any of our events or donate a pair of gloves, then things like that will make a big difference for us.

"It's about creating a positive message around the hospice after all of the negativity, and this is exactly the kind of thing that will help us to move forward."

To donate visit, buryhospice.org.uk.