A HOSPICE has received a record-breaking £2.9 million in donations from wills and legacies in one year.

The largest bequest to The Martlets Hospice in Hove was £690,000, helping it end the last financial year almost £2.5 million in the black.

The extra money means the hospice in Wayfield Avenue can invest in services and replenish its reserves.

The hospice has struggled to break even in the past and in 2011 had to close its day centre.

It ended 2012/13 with a small surplus but the figure for 2013/14 is higher because of the bequests, which rose by £2 million from £831,000.

Hospice chairman Michael Edwards said: “This is an exceptional result, primarily due to a record level of legacy income received during the year.

“In addition, all of our established income-generating activities performed well and the trustees would like to thank everybody in the community for their financial support of The Martlets.

“The surplus will enable us to make substantial progress in reaching our policy of unrestricted reserves covering 12 months’ running costs.

“We’ll also be able to invest in our respite service as well as supporting day services for patients living in the community.”

Mr Edwards said although the boost was welcome, there was still work to do to ensure the hospice generates the cash it needs.

He said: “Only a third of our funding comes via the NHS and legacy income will always be unpredictable so we are still faced with the challenge of raising over £9,000 per day to fund hospice services. Community support remains vital.

“With help from the community, we aim to improve access to hospice-run end of life care by increasing the numbers of patients and families seen by our services without any unsustainable rise in costs”.

The money means the hospice can extend its respite service, which has a waiting list, to care for up to ten extra patients a week. It also hopes to help more patients use its day services, which offer therapies and practical support.

Other money raised included £46,128 from the Brighton Marathon and £112,000 from the annual Midnight Walk.