A £1.3m appeal to build a ten-bed in-patient unit at a hospice received support from two sporting stars yesterday.

Durham county cricketers Dale Benkenstein and Gareth Breese joined the Dean of Durham, the Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove, in cutting the first sods at St Cuthbert's Hospice in Park House Road, Merryoaks, Durham City.

The hospice, founded 18 years ago, plans to build the unit in its grounds. It will provide 24-hour specialist palliative care, and staff hope the new building will be ready to receive its first patients in summer next year.

The hospice already has £1.9m but is hoping local people and businesses will raise the rest for its Key Appeal.

Dean Sadgrove, president of the hospice, said: "The new unit will make such a difference to the people of Durham and the locality. It is a much-needed facility.

"I do urge people to get behind this appeal. Life-threatening illness affects all of us. It might affect us personally or a member of the family or a friend.

"The hospice is a wonderful centre of care and support and really helps. That's why I feel so excited that, at last, this in-patient unit is on the way."

Mr Benkenstein said: "It is awesome. We hope that they get the support - £1.3m sounds like a lot of money to me but they have done really well so far. Hopefully, people in the area can get behind them. These sorts of things are very important but it is only when it happens to you or your family that you realise how important something like a hospice is."

Mr Breese said: "The older generation have laid the ground for us to come through. We should do everything we can to help them."

Four in-patient beds and specialist care are available at Willowburn Hospice, in Lanchester, but sufferers often have to travel farther afield, to Newcastle or Sunderland.

To make a donation, call 0191-386 1170 or write to St Cuthbert's Hospice, Park House Road, Merryoaks, Durham City, DH1 3QF. Cheques should be made payable to St Cuthbert's Hospice.