IT'S time to get into the festive feel in your workplace and raise money for charity by taking part in Hospiscare's Christmas Hamper Appeal.

The appeal involves finding a cardboard box — those with an artistic flair can decorate it — ask colleagues to bring in an item to fill it, once full, hold a raffle at your workplace and the winner takes home the hamper, then send the money from the raffle to Hospiscare.

Hospiscare fundraiser Louise Beeken said: 'This is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit and raise money for a local charity. Who wouldn't want to go home on Christmas Eve with a box full of scrummy food and bottles of wine? It's a great way to start the Christmas holidays.

'Last year lots of people took part from GP surgeries, school staff rooms, offices and factories and more than £7,000 was raised from everyone's hampers. This money helps fund our services such as our community nurses who are caring for local people everyday in their own homes, helping them to make the most of the time they have left with their families and loved ones.'

As well as the Christmas Hamper Appeal, Hospiscare also has its Christmas Big Card. Instead of sending individual cards to everyone at work, get a large, decorative poster can from Hospiscare, which can be pinned to workplace notice boards for people to sign and placed near a Hospiscare collecting tin for people to make a donation.

To get a Christmas Hamper and Big Card pack, email [email protected]">[email protected] or call 01392 688093.