A HOSPICE service providing care for sick Okehampton residents and their families has received a welcome cash boost from North and East Devon Health Authority.
The authority has pledged a further £45,000 which will ease short-term cash-flow problems at Hospiscare in Exeter.
Trevor Bailey, general manager, said it was a 'welcome announcement' which meant planned cuts in home-care services due to take place in September could be deferred.
'This money will help us with our cash-flow, however, it will not solve our long-term problems,' he said.
'To maintain a service that meets the needs of the local population we need to know that we can rely on a more realistic contribution from the health authority over the medium to long-term.
'This welcome injection of funds makes me feel positive for our future negotiations,' said Mr Bailey.
The health authority has also agreed to increase contributions for the next financial year by five per cent.
Hospiscare, which runs a very successful lottery from its charity shop in Okehampton, needs at least £2-million a year to maintain its service.
The Hospiscare shop in the Victorian Arcade has now totted up six first prize-winners since the lottery started in May last year.
Michael Goodwin, fundraising manager, said people are now travelling considerable distances to buy their weekly tickets at Okehampton, because the shop appears to be so lucky.