We are delighted to announce that our Charity of the Year from 1 May 2011 is Help the Hospices.

Help the Hospices is the leading charity that represents and promotes hospice and palliative care across the UK.  It provides funding and support to help hospices deliver the highest possible standards of care.

Help the Hospices provide a wide variety of services to hospices and the people who work in them, including training and development, informative and practical resources for hospice staff, grants and information services.   They also play a key role in influencing government policy and providing a collective voice for hospices across the UK.

A remarkable one-in-three people in Britain has had a family member or friend benefit from hospice care and most hospices are heavily reliant on fundraising, donations and sponsorship to provide these services. Hospices provide the very best care for children and adults living with life-limiting and terminal illness - adding life to days even when days cannot be added to lives. Care is given free of charge to the patient in the home, community and the hospice itself and also extends to the patient's family and friends.

If you would like to find out more about Help the Hospices or make a donation, please click here to visit their website.