A MUCH-LOVED charity has made it through a funding crisis after readers responded to a £70,000 appeal for help.

Iain Rennie Hospice at Home made a plea for the cash injection through our sister paper the Bucks Free Press at the beginning of February.

A large number of charitable events were held and a £43,000 legacy was left by a long-term Chesham patient. The charity now believes they may have a surplus for the end of year figures.

The charity, which was formed in 1985, was one of the UK's first charities to offer 24-hour care to terminally ill patients.

The charity found that income could not keep pace with expenditure and organisers feared cutbacks would have to be made.

But the community rallied round and made collections in churches, offered donations in lieu of wedding presents and Chesham resident Tony Laurenson had his head shaved by rock band Iron Maiden at Olympia to raise £9,000.

Robert Breakwell, spokesman for the charity, said: "All the signs are that with this £43,000 legacy and the other money from the appeal we are sure we are going to be showing a modest surplus for the year.

"The story of bone cancer sufferer, Ernest Ford, which was reported in the Bucks Free Press, helped to draw public attention to the work of the Iain Rennie Nursing Team in High Wycombe, which has been caring for Ernest.

"Each postbag has been full of wonderful letters of support and we have received more than 60 pledges from people who have decided to make a regular monthly donation.

"It is going to be a problem next year though we are feeling a lot happier about this. There is certainly a lot more money coming in on a monthly basis which is wonderful."

The charity cares for around 600 patients each year who are terminally ill with AIDS related illnesses, motor neurone disease and cancer and although they have weathered the funding storm they still warn that £100,000 will be needed over the coming year.

It has to raise about £1.1 million each year as it receives only 17 per cent of funding from government sources, 13 per cent less than many other charities and still needs support.

Ted Collins, chairman of the Wycombe and Amersham fundraising committee, said: "It shows the hard work of the Iain Rennie staff and the generosity of the public.

"Congratulations all round."

Moira Rennie, president of the Tring-based charity, whose husband Iain was the first patient, had said before the appeal target was reached: "It would be tragic if the Hospice at Home had to turn away even one patient."

The organisation is appealing to find more nurses for the High Wycombe area. If you want more information or you wish to send a donation, you can contact Iain Rennie Hospice at Home on (01494) 713888.

Sufferer backs Hospice appeal

BONE cancer sufferer Ernest Ford, 86, saw his wife Irene pass away in February last year.

Throughout her battle against the disease and during Mr Ford's illness Iain Rennie nurses have been there to provide support.

The nurses visited Mr Ford's home in Bullocks Farm Lane, Wheeler End, several times a day and not only provided practical support for the family but have become their friends.

After Mr Ford's story helped to raise the £70,000 that was so desperately needed, he said: "I think it is wonderful. It [doing the story] seemed such a little thing at the time but if it was any help that is all to the good.

"I like to keep fine and get out and about and the nurses help me to do that. They are very kind and very helpful and I try to do what they tell me."

Mr Ford's daughter, Catherine Ward, 54, who had been looking after her parents since September 1999, said: "What the Iain Rennie nurses do is so important it is absolutely vital."

Speaking of her father's health she said that despite suffering set-backs to the ligaments in his legs and giving the family one or two scares he was feeling all right.