A CHARITY has issued a plea to Dorset Echo readers for help to continue providing crucial services.

The Weldmar Hospicecare Trust has joined forces with the Dorset Echo to launch the Go for Gold campaign.

The charity is appealing for people to set themselves a challenge – anything from weight loss to wingwalking – and to raise money through sponsorship.

Matt Smith, fundraising manager for the Trust, hopes the campaign will help to dispel any myths about the hospice.

He said: “A lot of people think we offer just end-of-life care, and of course, that is an important part of what we do.

“Sadly, a lot of people don’t find out what a range of free services we offer until they are affected by cancer themselves.”

Dorset Echo editor Toby Granville said: “We are delighted to be working with Weldmar Hospicecare Trust on its exciting and innovative Go for Gold campaign.

“It is a charity that is close to the heart of the community it serves and I would urge our readers to take up the challenge to do something that may benefit themselves as well as the charity over the coming months.”

As an extra incentive, Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes will be presenting achievement awards to anyone who manages to raise more than £50 at a ceremony in October.

The funds will go towards continuing to provide crucial care services, including the 18 beds at the Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester for patients receiving end of life or respite care.

Leslie Taylor has been visiting the ward for 10 years.

He said: “It’s wonderful, what they do. Not just treating the symptoms but making sure I have everything I could want.

“On sunny days they take you outside in your bed to enjoy the sunshine, or they make sure you can access the internet.

“All the staff are lovely, from the nurses to the cleaners, and they all know me by name.”

With more than half of patients going home after their stay at the hospice, the Trust also provides day centres in its Dorchester headquarters, at the Trimar centre in Weymouth and at its new centre in Sturminster Newton.

Other services include support for carers and relatives, including care for young children and care in the community.

Mr Smith added: “People think our services are used more by the elderly but people of any age can suffer from cancer. Our child support worker works with children whose parents and grandparents are sufferers for as long as support is needed.”

The charity’s work would not be possible without an army of volunteers – a total of 700 across the county.

Senior staff nurse Emma Mills said the charity takes an individual approach to care.

She said: “We want to improve a patient’s quality of life, whether that is a week, six months or six years.”

The charity’s services cost £20,000 per day to run.

Mr Smith said: “We do get financial support from the NHS but we have to raise about 75 per cent of the fund ourselves, which equates to about £10 per minute.

“That is why the help of fundraisers is so crucial to us. We need your help.”

• GET involved in the campaign by filling out the form on page 13 of today's Echo and send it to Matt Smith, Weldmar Hospicecare Trust, Joseph Weld Hospice, Herringston Road, Dorchester, DT1 2SL.

Alternatively, call 01305 261800 or visit www.weld-hospice.org.uk/goforgold