Fund-raisers working to open a six-bed care unit at St Teresa's Hospice in Darlington have created a unique shopping list.

The list, totaling more than £4,500 per room, shows the items needed to turn the rooms at the hospice into full-time bedrooms.

The Giving to Life campaign hopes to have collected enough donations to open the care unit by Easter next year. The unit will offer around-the-clock palliative and respite care to people who do not need hospital treatment but are too ill to stay in their own homes.

Start-up costs for the unit have been estimated at £250,000 and money will then have to be raised each year to keep the beds open.

As well as paying for staff costs and other essentials, the hospice needs to buy the basics fixtures and fittings to transform six rooms at its Woodland Road site into bedrooms that are a home away from home for patients. A shopping list of what is needed has been created so people raising money for the appeal can see what their donations could help buy.

Much of the equipment is specialist and all the linen has to be easy to launder and flame retardant. Hospice director Jane Bradshaw said: "We have already received many generous donations to help buy some of the things on the list and we are very grateful to them."

To help with the appeal call (01325) 254319 or email corporatefundraising@darlington-hospice.org.uk