A HOSPICE has received a £2,000 Christmas gift just before the year 2000 ends.

Bad taste evenings and recycling helped to raise the cash for Bishop Auckland's Butterwick Hospice.

It was given by the Wheatsheaf Inn, at St Helen Auckland, and Foreman Recycling, Spennymoor, which have both been fundraising this year.

The landlord and landlady of the Wheatsheaf ran karaoke evenings, charity fun nights, domino card competitions and bad taste evenings to reach their target, and with the support of regulars, raised £1,000.

Foreman Recycling in Spennymoor also presented the hospice with a £1,000 cheque, which was raised by collecting cardboard from businesses in Bishop Auckland, a coffee morning and a several hundred pound donation from the firm.

All at the hospice would like to send their thanks and appreciation for the gifts and donations received throughout the year