A CHARITY has warned Darlington residents against bogus or unofficial collections taking place in their name.

Jane Bradshaw, director of St Teresa's Hospice, has told The Northern Echo they have received several reports of people selling raffle tickets door-to-door and entrance to competitions, claiming to be on behalf of the hospice.

It is unclear whether those responsible are genuinely collecting on behalf of the charity, but have failed to go through the proper channels, or if they have more sinister motives.

However, Ms Bradshaw advised people to ask for official hospice identification or a letter of authority from the hospice, which offers free care and services for people with terminal diseases.

She also urged anyone who wanted genuinely raise money for the hospice to get in touch with the hospice so they could be advised of legal issues and offered help and support.

The reports of unofficial ticket selling were in and around Lakeside, near South Park, Darlington. There were also reports of someone trying to sell entries to guess the bear’s birthday and handing out consolation prizes to losers.

The hospice, which costs £1.5m a year to run, must raise more than £1m through donations and fundraising.

Ms Bradshaw said: “We are very, very grateful to lots of people who fundraise to make our work possible. It is possible this is simply a well-meaning individual who is genuinely trying to raise money for us.

“If people tell us they are fundraising, we will give them an official letter, with the dates they will be collecting.

“This is to protect people who are fundraising for us so we can give them guidance on legal issues.

“We very, very much want people to raise money for us and we want to give them the best possible advice we can.

“If this is a person who is genuinely raising money for us, we want to protect them.”

The next official hospice collection is Flag Day on Saturday, taking place in Darlington and Cockerton, and supporting shops and organisations.

Anyone who would like to raise money for the charity can contact them on 01325-254321.