St Andrew’s, which is based in Grimsby, is the county’s only children’s hospice and provides 24 hour, holistic care for children and young adults, as well as extensive help and support to their families and carers.

All care is provided free to the families who need it but costs around £1 million a year to provide. Of this only 3 per cent comes from Government funding.

They are dependant on fundraising and people’s goodwill and support for the rest.

That includes people like Jenny Claringbold, who is setting up a Sleaford and District Friends Group to help raise funds and awareness of the hospice.

Jenny used to run a support group in Sutton-on-Sea where she lived until moving to Ruskington last year. Sadly, in 1994, Jenny’s son David died of cerebal palsy when aged 19 and Jenny is devoted to helping St Andrew’s Hospice help others.

She said: “Hospice’s are not just places where people go to die – they provide an extension of life and an opportunity to meet others and make friends.”

“St Andrew’s is such an amazing place and all the staff there are fully committed.”

“People can help in all sorts of ways like saving their small change – every penny really does help.”

Anyone is welcome to join the friends group, you don’t have to have an association with the hospice and you can be involved as much or as little as you want.

l To find out more about the Sleaford and District Friends Group contact Jenny on 01526 833510.