BURY Hospice have welcomed a new partnership with a finance group as part of its newly announced patron’s scheme.

The Financial Options Group, a financial advice firm based in Walshaw, is the first business to get on board with the scheme in which patrons to make an annual donation to help fund the charity’s vital work.

Businesses, organisations and individuals can sign up to the scheme on one of three levels – silver, gold or platinum – and will receive a host of incentives including acknowledgement of their support on its patron’s board, and on social media.

The hospice revealed that the yearly cost of this care is £3.5m and hope to encourage more business to sign-up to the scheme.

Financial Options Group will host a number of fundraising and sponsorship events this year, including a prestigious charity golf day at Mottram Hall in June, and a black tie gala dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester in September.

Head of fundraising Alison Holland said: “Joining our patron scheme is a wonderful way to show your support to Bury Hospice.

"All patrons will receive a number of benefits but the real benefit is knowing that you will be helping to fund specialist care for patients and their families when they need it most.

“Our patron’s scheme is the perfect opportunity for you or your business to help support your local community.”

Financial Options Group CEO Christian Pepper said: “We are delighted to be Bury Hospice’s first business patron.

"We have many exciting fundraising plans for the year including our golf day and gala dinner but in addition the Financial Options Group are taking part in the Schools Innovation Challenge where I am acting as business mentor for Unsworth Academy.

“The aim of the challenge is to raise as much money for Bury Hospice as possible with the students thinking about how best to achieve this by applying business strategy. Everyone is really welcome to take part and support these events.”