A FAMILY craft afternoon organised by Ilkley Friends of Martin House was a great success and raised £378 for the children’s hospice.

Pamela Brunger, Honorary Secretary of Ilkley Friends of Martin House Children's Hospice said: "The Easter theme gave children the opportunity to display their creativity in decorating their Easter bonnets with some fantastic results. Face painting, tattoos, bag stencilling, seed planting, and making a woolly sheep were also on offer. Thanks go to the parents and children who came along to enjoy the event and raise funds for the hospice, the volunteers who put a lot of work into the activities on offer and All Saints Church for their hospitality."

The aim of Martin House is to provide family led care for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions. Support is provided both at the Hospice in Boston Spa and in the community across West, East and North Yorkshire.

Martin House provides support for over 160 families a year and over 440 children and young people. Services include respite breaks, care in the community, symptom control, end of life palliative care, care after death and bereavement support.

It costs £9million a year to provide these vital services and most of the money comes from donations and fund raising.

Pamela added: "Ilkley Friends of Martin House is a local group raising funds through our activities and publicising the hospice’s valuable work. If you would like to know more about us and Martin House please contact Pam Ravenscroft on 01943 817773."