BUSINESSES across the borough are pledging their support for the campaign to raise £2.5 million for a new Bury Hospice.

The capital appeal — backed by the Bury Times — was launched in September to allow the hospice to move from its current home in Dumers Lane, Radcliffe, to a new state-of-the-art centre in Rochdale Old Road, Bury.

The money needed includes £55,000 for a bedroom with ensuite bathroom, £75,000 for the day hospice lounge and £22,000 for a treatment and therapy room.

Hospice fundraisers have been calling on businesses to give their help by organising fundraising events or making donations.

They can even pledge to raise the money needed to pay for one of the rooms.

Among those already backing the appeal is Best Of Bury, a company based in Walmersley which promotes local businesses.

Owner Debi Fellone has selected the hospice as the firm’s charity of the year and any fundraising activities will support the campaign.

The first event will be a business exhibition at the Elizabethan Suite in Bury on Thursday, March 31.

Around 150 businesses will attend and David Laycock, manager of The Rock shopping centre, will be the guest speaker.

Bury boxer Scott Quigg will sign autographs and pose for photographs, in return for donations to the hospice.

There will also be a raffle and auction to boost funds.

Mrs Fellone said: “We really want to help to build the new hospice.

“It’s probably the most high-profile cause that people in Bury are supporting at the moment and it’s a fantastic thing to get involved in.

“We are raising money but also raising awareness. There is a feature about the hospice on our website and details of our fundraising will appear on the newsletter we send to hundreds of businesses.

“Hopefully, it will encourage other businesses to support the hospice, too.”

Businesses wishing to support the campaign can contact the hospice’s capital fundraising appeal hotline on 0161 763 1545 or email capitalappeal@buryhospice.org.uk.