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West Dorset District Council has presented £5,000 to the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust (formerly Joseph Weld & Trimar Hospice and CancerCare Dorset Trust) towards its running costs.

The money has been raised by the sale of 110 tonnes of textiles dropped in special recycling banks by local people across the district last year.

Reusable items are sent to clothe people in Eastern Europe and Africa. Other textiles are cut up and sold as oil rags.

Weldmar Hospicecare Trust Director Caroline Nickinson said:
"As a local charity which needs to raise a substantial proportion of its running costs from voluntary contributions, the trust is truly grateful to everyone who supports our work in so many ways.

"This wonderful initiative by West Dorset District Council really makes a significant contribution towards our fundraising. It also benefits many less fortunate than ourselves while helping the environment. Please help the council to support us by using the banks."

West Dorset District Council Leader Robert Gould said:
"The trust provides fantastic support for local people at a time when they need it most. Local people using the district council's textile recycling banks can be sure that they are doing their bit for the environment and raising money for a very good local cause."

Clothes, shoes, soft toys, blankets, curtains and other textiles can be put into the special banks, which sit next to others for plastic bottles, aluminium foil, books, records, CDs and tapes.

All Weldmar Hospicecare Trust's services are provided to all patients free of charge. The annual running costs are currently over £4.6 million a year.