A hospice has launched an appeal to open its own care unit for the terminally ill.

The new beds at Darlington's St Teresa's Hospice would provide around-the-clock support for people needing respite, palliative and terminal care.

Fundraisers at the hospice need to find £250,000 each year - on top of current fundraising - to pay for specialist round-the-clock care, if the dream of opening the care unit is to become a reality.

At the moment the Woodland Road hospice offers day care and 24-hour help for people in their own homes.

It has six bedrooms available but needs around £4,000 a room to furnish them and more money to pay for staff costs to maintain round-the-clock care.

Hospice director Jane Bradshaw said: "Although we offer a wide range of care options, if a patient does not wish to die at home, has problem symptoms or their carer can no longer cope alone, there are no local hospice beds available.

"Although the primary care trust will be able to give us some financial support, they cannot do so until the beds are actually open, so our main aim is to raise sufficient funds to get the unit up and running."

The Northern Echo is backing the hospice's drive to raise enough money to open the special care unit. We will publish regular updates on how much money has been raised, as well as stories about the generous people who donate to the cause.

A series of events are being held by the hospice to try to persuade businesses in the area to make a donation.

One company which has already pledged its support is Niven and Niven architects of Darlington.

Rob Niven, a partner in the company, is actually a day care patient at the hospice and is eager to help the campaign while he is well enough.

Dow Design in the town have produced a free CD Rom detailing the setting up and running costs for the unit which can be distributed to interested companies.

The Cornmill Centre in Darlington has also agreed to help by displaying the logos of all companies who make a donation.

The hospice provides its own nurses, therapists, support workers, volunteers and a consultant in palliative medicine. It is also a base for Macmillan nurses.

Any business wanting more information should contact Craig Linton on (01325) 254319 or e-mail cl@darlington-hospice.org.uk