THE fundraising baton at Julia's House is being handed over after more than four years.

Gavin Fisher, deputy chief executive, is leaving the charity this month, handing over the reins to Mike Bartlett.

During his years at the children's hospice service charity, Gavin has seen the charity's income quadruple and the Corfe Mullen hospice open.

Since he joined the charity in 2003, the number of nurses and carers has grown from two to more than 50 and the amount of care provided in the community has doubled in the past year alone.

"I'm enormously proud to have played my part in the charity's development," said Gavin.

"It has only been possible thanks to the efforts of such a great team of staff and volunteers and the generous support of the Dorset Community."

He is leaving to take up the post of chief executive of the Brighton-based children's charity Rockinghorse and Mike is moving back to Dorset with his wife and two children after being head of fundraising at Winston's Wish, the child bereavement charity.

With eight years' fund raising under his belt Mike, who will be development director and head up the fundraising and retail team, is looking forward to the challenges ahead.

"I am delighted to be joining the charity at a time of such growth," he said.

"I'm looking forward to working with the team to raise the funds needed to expand the community care team further and to open the hospice for overnight stays in 2008."

Gavin added: "There is still much for the charity to do, as it looks to increase the amount of children that can be looked after, but Mike is a great appointment and I am sure that the future of the charity's fundraising is in safe hands."