Trisha’s generous gesture       

By Iain Harrison WHEN CAROLINE BURNETT, of tiny Yetholm in the Borders, asked her fellow villagers to raise a few pounds for our CHAS appeal, she was certain she’d get a good response. So when they chipped in over £500 at a dinner-dance in the village hall, Caroline wasn’t the least bit surprised. However, she got a shock when a regular holidaymaker in the village, Trisha Goodwin, told her she’d equal that amount by doing her own good deed. “Trisha travels up to Yetholm from Newcastle every year for a holiday,” explains Caroline. “She heard what we were doing and decided to do the Great North Run half marathon in Newcastle to raise funds. “I was delighted, although I couldn’t quite believe it when she told me she’d raised almost £500. To double what we’d already raised was absolutely fantastic and it was a wonderful gesture by Trisha.” Caroline has been keeping a keen eye on our CHAS appeal since it began and says she’s been encouraged to see the total rising month by month. Her eight-year-old nephew died of a brain tumour some years ago and she regrets he and his family didn’t have anywhere special to spend his last days. “Had there been somewhere like the children’s hospice for him then it would have been great,” says Caroline. “That’s why I want to see this new one built as soon as possible. It’s such a worthwhile cause.”

You can e-mail us at: hospice@sundaypost.com