STAFF, carers and children at the Butterwick Hospice are celebrating the home's second birthday this week.

At the weekend there was an Ecumenical Awareness and Thanksgiving Service at the Oakwood Centre, at Eagles-cliffe, on Teesside.

The address was given by the Right Reverend Michael Turnbull, the Bishop of Durham, with a service led by Cannon Robert Spencer.

To celebrate the anniversary of the hospice's opening, Stockton solicitors Tilly, Bailey and Irvine presented a cake and a cheque for more than £2,000 to the charity's founder Mary Butterwick.

The firm has been raising money as part of the hospice's £2,000 in 2000 campaign.

Hospice fundraiser Ray Laidler said: "This really is a magnificent achievement to reach their 2000 target so early in the year, and is a tribute to their hard work, enthusiasm and innovative way they have raised funds, and their continued enthusiasm to help the Butterwick Children's Hospice."

The celebrations will continue this week with an open day at the hospice this Sunday.

All members of the public are welcome to visit the hospice, in the grounds of the North Tees Hospital, between 10am and 4pm.