FOR almost two decades staff at Wilson Tool International in Swindon have been supporting Prospect Hospice.

Raffles, donations and events over the years since 1999 have raised a total of around £25,000 for the facility which has cared for some of their friends and staff members.

This week the firm, which employs around 120 staff in Swindon, was able to hand over a cheque for £3,000.

“For a company of our size it isn’t bad,” said head of human resources Trevor Davies.

The company liked to support a local charity and he explained many staff had links with the hospice, some with family or friends had been cared for by it.

As well as holding raffles and contributing through donations or using the coffee machine, many chose to have contributions stopped from their wages at source.

“Wilson Tool International have been incredible supporters of Prospect Hospice for many years and we are so grateful for their generous contribution towards our care,” said Sheryl Crouch, head of fundraising at Prospect Hospice.

“Over the years all the staff there have been so committed to raising funds for us that they have now raised £25,000, and their continued support has made a real difference. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone there for their brilliant support for Prospect Hospice.”

The hospice in Wroughton serves 300,000 people in the Swindon area and costs more than £7.8 million a year to run. Less than 30 per cent of its income is from organisations like the NHS.