On behalf of the patients, their families, staff and volunteers of The Martlets Hospice, I thank all members of the local community for their generous support throughout 2002.

Through donations, events, support of our weekly Lottery, our six shops, legacies and so on, local people have ensured that the terminally ill and their families have received much-needed care and support both at the hospice and in the home.

However, the New Year will bring a fresh challenge as, once again, we will seek to raise more than £2 million to fund the hospice's services for patient care in 2003.

With less than 25 per cent of The Martlets' funding coming from government sources, the ongoing support of all sections of the community is vital and we hope individuals, clubs, societies, schools, companies and the the media will continue to support The Martlets in the months ahead.

Once again, thank you to all concerned for helping in whichever way you can.

-Robert Griffiths, Fundraising Manager, The Martlets Hospice, Wayfield Avenue, Hove