A DONATION of £430 was handed over to the hospice by members of both the Herts and Essex police forces.o

The patients will benefit directly from the sponsorship money raised by the 'Bobbies on their Bikes' who cycled from London to Cambridge, a total of 54 miles.

Everyone at St Clare is most grateful for their kind generosity and practical support.

Other donations recently received include one from the Royal Wareside Amateur Golf Society, which nominated St Clare as its chosen charity, and another from the Steeple Bumpstead Bowls League, which held a charity tournament.

Many thanks to the many clubs and societies that continue to support the hospice, particularly from their one off annual events.

The hospice would be pleased to hear from anyone able to volunteer as a bedroom helper. We need practical, cheery help for non-arduous tasks such as making tea for patients and, sometimes, very grateful nurses. Changing people's water jugs and delivering breakfasts or lunches is often required.

Julie Hewlett is the lady to speak to if you can offer your time on a regular basis. Training will be given. Telephone Julie Hewlett at the hospice on 01279 413590.

It's that time of year when the hospice is thundering into Christmas fair mode, a time when we urgently need small, unwanted goods for tombola prizes and new goods for raffle prizes.It is possible to raise considerable amounts from these gifts at various events.

We also need a variety of consumable goodies to make up hampers which will then be either raffled or auctioned. Please telephone Fundraising on 01279 413590.

Since the hospice fete in the summer, three quizzes have been devised to boost our funds.

The promise of a bottle of champagne for each winner, at the cost of just £1, has proved very popular with those in the local community. Sinead Andrews and Janet Noble of Harlow and Alan Partridge of Bishop's Stortford have all been winners.

The current newsletter is running its usual autumn quiz. If you would like to enter, please contact the fundraising team on 01279 413590.

The Friends of St Clare are all very busy baking, cooking and pickling seasonal produce ready to be sold at forthcoming events. They are very short of larger jars suitable for pickled onions. If you are able to provide some it would be appreciated if you could ensure that they and their tops are clean. Please ring the hospice on 01279 413590 if you can help.

Another SOS. In the absence of the Harlow shop manager, children's goods collected over the past few weeks have been inadvertently sold. Peggy is now desperately needing kiddy-type toys, games, tombola prizes and gifts which will all be put to good use on the shop's annual Children's Day in December.

If you can help Peggy out, ring her on 01279 639760.

The St Clare trading company now has its Christmas stock of cards and 2002 calendars. All are available from the hospice and our shops in Epping, Harlow and Saffron Walden.

Please feel free to come to the hospice in Hastingwood to look at the other Christmas wares on sale. You will be made most welcome.

November 13, 2001 10:56