Give up your vice and help build a children's hospice

The charity aiming to build Berkshire's first children's hospice is urging people to back its £5m fundraising drive by giving up their guilty pleasure for Lent.

The Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Service is asking supporters to put aside their favourite treats and raise money through sponsorship or donating the cash saved from giving up their vices.

Lent begins on Wednesday, marking a 40-day run up to Easter.

The first person to take up the challenge is Clare Dando from Wokingham.

Clare intends to give up sugar for the full 40 days of Lent and pledged to donate £2 for every day she is successful.

Her young sons Alex and Michael have promised to keep a watchful eye.

Susie Knowles, the charity's community fundraiser, said the challenge does not have to be for the whole 40 days.

"It can be a really simple challenge," she said.

Giving up talking for a day, Facebook for a week, walking to work for a month, or avoiding chocolate for the month are all ways to help raise money.

"Some severely ill children cared for by the service never get to enjoy the treats we take for granted," added Susie.

"One of our special little boys can not eat or drink anything due to his condition.

"We hope the community will get behind us and join us in this fun, simple challenge."

To join the campaign email susiek@alexanderdevine.org or call 01753 567630.

The charity launched a £5m capital project in November to build the hospice at Snowball Hill in Woodlands Park and plans to start work within the year.

The Devine hospice mission is also being backed by the Advertiser and its sisters papers, the Windsor & Eton Express and the Slough & South Bucks Express, through the Together We Can Build It campaign.