We are delighted that the Leicester Mercury is launching this appeal to increase the profile and understanding of Loros in our community across Leicestershire and Rutland and to raise the outstanding £450,000 from our current Capital Appeal.

We hope that readers and their families and friends who have helped us so magnificently in the past will respond by supporting us even more at this time.

We need to raise at least £4m each year so we can provide our excellent hospice care free of charge to the 2,500 patients and family members who benefit annually from the use of our services.

This requires a relentless effort, especially with the current difficulties in the UK economy, and a willingness on the part of the community we serve to contribute through both money and volunteering time.

Our excellent new £2m extension to the ward at the hospice on Groby Road, Leicester, will further improve our quality of care, but trying to fund this additional expenditure through our own Capital Appeal has inevitably put an added strain on our fund-raising activities over the last year or so.

I believe that Loros has a well deserved and excellent reputation as a truly local charity, whose aim is to improve the quality of life of patients with an incurable illness and to support their family members.

I think this is due to the fact that our 300 staff and more than 800 regular volunteers are genuinely committed to providing the best possible care and to raising the funds necessary to provide it.

These people really do listen and respond to people's needs and wishes and "go the extra mile".

Our many supporters and donors contribute their time, energy and money because they believe Loros is such a worthwhile cause and something of which the community of Leicestershire and Rutland can be thankful and proud.

Next year will be a major milestone in the development of our charity, as it marks 25 years of caring since the first patient was admitted to the hospice.

Finally, I would like to thank the Leicester Mercury and its readers very sincerely for supporting Loros.