LOCAL charity Hospiscare is launching its Christmas Hamper Appeal for the festive season.

People are being asked to create ‘artistic’ hampers from cardboard boxes for a raffle – with all proceeds going towards Hospiscare.

Hospiscare fundraiser Louise Beeken said: “This is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit and raise money for a local charity.

Who wouldn’t want to go home on Christmas Eve with a box full of scrummy food and bottles of wine? It’s a great way to start the Christmas holidays.

“Last year, lots of people took part, from GP surgeries, school staffrooms, offices and factories and more than £7,000 was raised from everyone’s hampers.

“This money helps funds our services such as our community nurses who are caring for local people every day in their own homes, helping them to make the most of the time they have left with their families and loved ones.”

As well as the Christmas hamper, Hospiscare also has its Christmas Big Card.

Instead of sending individual cards to everyone at work, why not get a lovely, large, decorative poster from Hospiscare?

The Christmas Big Card can be pinned to workplace noticeboards for people to sign and placed near a Hospiscare collecting tin for people to make a donation.

To get your hamper and Big Card pack email s.healey@hospiscare.co.uk or call 01392 688093.