STAFF at estate agent Ward and Partners, have raised £1,070 for Demelza House Children's Hospice near Sittingbourne.

David Lench, Ward's managing director, said: "As a Kent-based company with a high staff level, most of whom live in Kent, we feel that Demelza House is a worthy charity and one which we are happy to donate. We contributed last year from our Christmas party and hope to continue giving it our support."

Nicola Tunbridge, area fundraising manager for Demelza House, said: "We are delighted that Ward and Partners have chosen us as their charity. We are looking forward to working in partnership with them and very much value their past and future contribution."

Demelza House was founded in 1998 by the parents of Demelza Philips who died from a brain tumour at the age of 24. Her parents visited her place of work, a Birmingham children's hospice, to attend a memorial service. They were so impressed that they launched a campaign to build a children's hospice in Kent.

Demelza House provides a "home from home" environment with specialist nursing care for the child and support for the whole family. It can be contacted on 01795 845266.