MANORLANDS will have to find an extra £200,000 this year to meet its running costs, it has been revealed.

The Oxenhope-based Sue Ryder hospice faces a startling £2.9 million bill – up over seven per cent on last year – to continue providing its specialist care services.

And only a fraction of the cost will be covered by statutory funds.

Bosses need to find more than £1.6m in voluntary income to ensure the hospice's doors remain open.

Senior Manorlands fundraiser, Rachel Cunningham, praises the public for its "fantastic" ongoing support and urges people to maintain their backing.

"There are different ways people can get involved as we do appreciate that it is not always possible to make a cash donation," she said.

"Any help we receive makes a huge difference, be it gifting time by volunteering with us, donating unwanted items to our local shops, shopping with us, holding fundraising activities or taking part in one of our events.

"People can also simply send a donation to the hospice or consider leaving us a gift in their will.

"All the funds we raise help the hospice maintain and expand its services to reach more people in the community.

"The hospice provides specialist care services through its in-patient unit and day hospice and in people's own homes. But it also offers a range of services that help improve the quality of life for its patients, such as complimentary therapies, or bereavement services to support family and friends."

She added: "We can't thank everyone enough for their ongoing support.

"The backing we receive from our volunteers, the local community and businesses is fantastic and without it we could not continue to be here for people when they need us most."

Manorlands has been serving people with life-limiting illnesses across Airedale, Craven and North and West Bradford for over 40 years.

All the care services are free to patients and their families.

Last year, the hospice's community nurse specialists provided over 2,795 home visits, nearly 200 people attended the day therapy unit and the bereavement team received more than 1,380 phone calls.

Visit sueryder.org/manorlands, e-mail manorlands.fundraising@sueryder.org or call 01535 640430 for more details about ways of supporting the hospice.

Donations – made payable to Sue Ryder-Manorlands Hospice – can be sent to the fundraising office, Manorlands, Hebden Road, Oxenhope BD22 9HJ.

Also, £3 donations can be made by texting MANOR to 70123.