THE dream of opening a hospice extension to offer 24-hour specialist palliative care in Durham City has moved a step closer.

St Cuthbert's Hospice hopes to open the ten-bed in-patient extension later this year, offering care for terminally-ill patients.

Last year, the hospice launched The Key Appeal, a fundraising campaign to bring in the £3.2m needed to build the extension, and, yesterday, volunteers were celebrating after accepting two of the biggest donations to date.

Northumbrian Water handed over a cheque for £5,000, presented by operations director and hospice trustee Graham Neave, while Abbey National donated a further £2,500 to the cause.

Caroline Broadfoot, the hospice's community fundraising manager, said: "We are extremely grateful for both donations - they are the largest we have had handed over in person and we would like to say thank you very much."

The donations come in a busy week of fundraising for the hospice.

On Wednesday, Royal biographer Penny Junor spoke to a packed hall at Hardwick Hall, near Sedgefield during a fundraising lunch.

Tomorrow, more than 60 cyclists are to take part in the ninth annual Sunflower Cycle Ride, which sets off from Broompark Picnic Area, near Stone Bridge on the B6302, and travels up the Lanchester Valley.

Cyclists can still sign up to take part in the sponsored ride, with registration being accepted on the day at 10.30am, for an 11am start.

Anyone interested in walking the route is also welcome. For details and registration forms, contact the hospice on 0191-386 1170.