A FUNDRAISING appeal for a town's hospice has received a major boost.

Stockton man Allan Oakley has donated his collection of 47 farthings and one half farthing - one of the coins dates back to 1754 - in support of the Nurse and a Half campaign in Hartlepool.

Mr Oakley donated his prized possessions to the appeal after businessman Paul Turnbull, who runs Coinote Services in Hartlepool, offered to convert people's unwanted coins, banknotes, stamps, medals and even cigarette cards into cash for the hospice.

Mr Oakley said: "I know Paul from his stall on Stockton market. He mentioned the appeal, and I said I had some coins that I was happy to donate if they could be of benefit to someone else.

"I have had them for more than 20 years, and they are just sitting in a case.

"Hospices do tremendous work, and they are a cause close to my heart."

The Nurse and a Half campaign aims to raise £30,000, during Mayor Stuart Drummond's term of office, to enable the hospice to increase the number of beds in its in-patient unit from seven to nine, with an additional one-and-a-half nurses.

Mr Turnbull has already sold a number of the donated coins, and hopes to eventually raise about £2,000 for the appeal.

Mayor Drummond said: "This is an outstanding gesture by Mr Oakley, and I would like to thank him for his generosity. This has certainly given a massive boost to the appeal."

Tony Collins, chief executive of Hartlepool and District Hospice, said: "To date, this is the largest individual boost to our Nurse and a Half appeal. We deeply appreciate the kindness and generosity of Mr Oakley."

Collection points for coins have been set up at all Hartlepool and District Hospice shops and in the main reception area at Hartlepool Civic Centre.