LAST month we launched 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.

WHILE hardworking staff and dedicated volunteers are the lifeblood of Bury Hospice, there is a third group of people who play a key role in keeping this treasured community asset running.

Business owners across the borough are held in high regard by hospice leaders for the year-round efforts in raising money, sharing their expertise and even pitching in with jobs around the Rochdale Old Road facility that has helped so many since it opened in April 2014.

And it is not just one-man bands or small businesses that lend a hand — bigger organisations show their support too. Last month, United Utilities, which manages the water supply for the North West, sent a dozen staff to tend the gardens at the hospice.

United Utilities third party advisor George Finegan said: “We have helped at Bury Hospice before and we wanted to do it again as we had been in the area working at Woodgate Hill Reservoir.

“We actively encourage our staff to help out in the community and this is a good thing to do as we know the hospice relies on volunteers for gardening and is limited as to what it can do.

“We want to make it nicer for the people in the hospice to look outside and see greenery and flowers and we cleared 70 sq m and made it a low-maintenance site so people can keep on top of it.”

Another company to throw its weight behind the hospice recently was the Armaan Restaurant in Outwood Road, Radcliffe.

Manager Alom Khasru celebrated the eatery’s first anniversary in September by holding six dining evenings in which he thanked regular customers by giving them free meals.

Mr Khasru invited hospice volunteers into the restaurant to do a bucket collection and run a raffle on two of the nights and it raised £800.

“At the end of the day, this amazing organisation helps families in Bury when they need it most, so who wouldn’t want to help them? They are great,” said Mr Khasru.

He added: “I am a big believer in businesses being part of their local community, even if means just a simple gesture like having a collection box in your reception.”

Hospice fundraiser Michelle King said: “This restaurant has an excellent reputation for its food and, after the Boxing Day floods, gave away free meals to flood victims. We want to say a big thank you to the Armaan Restaurant for their generosity.”

Other companies have named the hospice as their charity of the year and encouraged staff to do weird and wonderful challenges throughout the year before presenting the charity with the cash raised.

Ms King added: “We are always impressed by the level of support we get from Bury’s business community — and fundraising isn’t the only way they help.”

Over the last year, the hospice has been through a major transition and has received expert help from Bolton Hospice, St Catherine’s Hospice near Preston, Bury Council, as well as firms dealing with accountancy and consultation.

Hospice leaders are already considering a post Christmas venture for next year and are looking for help in the form of a man with a van. Ms King said: “We are doing a Christmas tree collection on January 6, 7 and 8, where people make a donation to the hospice and we collect their trees and dispose of them. However, in order to make this possible, we need the help of van drivers to cut down on the cost of hiring vans for the job. We also need a tree surgeon/chipper who may be able to donate some time to chip some or all of the trees.”

Contact Ms King on 0161 797 1748 extension 216 or email michelleking@buryhospice.org