RESTAURANTS and hotels are being asked to support Poole’s Lewis Manning Hospice ‘Donate a Pound’ campaign.

This new initiative, running throughout June, coincides with Hospice Awareness Month.

The charity is looking for local restaurants and hotels to get involved by adding a voluntary pound on top of every customer’s bill.

Harry’s Bar, in Canford Cliffs, is one of the first venues to sign up for the deal, which won’t cost participating businesses a penny as customers decide to either opt in or out of the scheme. Lewis Manning fundraising manager Maria Tidy, pictured, said: “We’re really grateful to Tim and the team at Harry’s Bar for signing up to this scheme. We hope that this will help raise awareness and vital funds for our hospice.

“If more local eateries sign up, customers can choose to add one pound or more to their bill.

“Every pound donated will go directly to caring for patients who attend our hospice.”

The charity opened its new building at Evening Hill, Lilliput, earlier this month, but it needs to raise more money before anyone can stay overnight. The hospice has offered daytime care for people with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses for the past 20 years.

If you are a business that can help the ‘Donate a Pound’ campaign call Maria Tidy on 01202 701000.