Supporters of The Martlets Hospice in Hove have been pledging their time and money to help keep it out of financial trouble.

Fundraisers say they have got substantial donations since The Argus first reported the hospice's £43,000 deficit last month.

Extra cash worth more than £1,000 was sent in by Argus readers in the last 14 days following our week-long series of stories highlighting the work done by the dedicated team of staff, fundraisers and volunteers.

Fundraising manager Robert Griffiths said the figure would rise because of the Gift Aid tax scheme and money was still coming in.

In addition to cash donations, the hospice is benefiting in other ways which will lead to more money being raised.

Large quantities of books, toys, gifts and other donations have been coming into the hospice's charity shops and warehouse after people learned more about the work being done.

Many have also called to find out more about joining the hospice lottery or taking part in one of its fundraising trips abroad.

Others are interested in offering their services as volunteers or want to buy tickets for a show or fundraising event.

Mr Griffiths said: "The result is that more people have a greater understanding of what we do and what is required to sustain the hospice in the long term.

"It has been very encouraging that a large number of people have responded. It has got people talking and thinking more about what we do and that is a good sign for the future."

It takes more than £3.5 million a year to run the hospice but because it is not part of the NHS, less than a quarter of it comes directly from the Government, meaning it has to raise about £2.75 million each year to keep going.

The money is not solely used to pay for extras but covers the cost of medicines, supplies, equipment and specialist staff.

Large amounts of money come from legacies and trusts but this is not guaranteed income and this year, for the first time in its history, the hospice went into the red by £43,000.

It was not a large amount and the hospice has been getting back on financial track but the fundraising team has been working to make sure there is no deficit next year.

This can only be done if more people rally round the hospice and support it every year.

The hospice has an18-bed im-patient facility, a daycare service and the Martlets@Home scheme, which supports patients who want to spend their last hours and days in their own home.

Two up-coming events are aimed at helping the Martlets and people who have lost loved ones.

People are invited to dedicate a light or lights on the hospice's Christmas trees in memory of a member of the family, friend or colleague at Light Up a Life Christmas 2004 on December 5 at the Clarendon Centre, New England Street, Brighton at 3pm. For more details, call 01273 747455.

A gala Christmas concert with the Sussex Symphony Orchestra is on December 12 at St Bartholomew's Church, Ann Street, Brighton. Tickets are available from the Dome box office on 01273 709709.