OUR appeal to raise money for Julia's House children's hospice has hit all the right notes with Devizes Town Band.

The band has pledged to fully support the charity which is to open a new children's hospice in Devizes in 2017. It's first donation was a cheque for £671.76 presented before band rehearsals to Alison Radevsky from the Devizes friends group.

Band Chairman Kelvin Nash said: "As soon as we heard that Julia’s House would be opening a hospice in Devizes, we felt strongly that this was a cause we wanted to help."

It raised the cash by playing Christmas carols in the Market Place in December.

Mr Nash said: "We are thrilled to have collected this sum in just the two and a half hours we were in the Market Place and would therefore like to thank the generous people of Devizes very much."

He said the collection total was the biggest ever from the carol event which regularly raises money for good causes.

The band also raised another £218.40 from its Christmas Party Concert and invited Liz Froud from Julia's House to receive the cash.

The band is now rehearsing for their season opener which builds on the success of last year’s Movies in Concert performance.

Mr Nash said key elements from that concert have been pulled through to this year’s grand spectacular on April 25 at the Corn Exchange. Tickets will be available nearer the time from Devizes Books or direct from the band; contact Sarah Tyler on secretary@devizestownband.com for further details.

Wiltshire solicitors Goughs has also chosen Julia's House as its charity of the year for 2016.

Wiltshire fundraising manager Ian Wadley said: "Goughs has become one of the first businesses to support this landmark project by pledging to raise £10,000 for the charity during 2016 through a variety of fundraising activities which include participation in the Chippenham Dragon Boat Race, the Corsham 10K run and the annual Goughs Charity Golf Day at Cumberwell Park Golf Club, Bradford-on-Avon. Goughs employees have already begun their support of the charity by signing up to the Julia’s House Lottery."

Emma Taylor, a partner at Goughs who oversaw the charity of the year selection process, said: “As a new mum myself I can only imagine how hard it must be for parents of a life-limited child and I think this resonated with everyone within the firm. We are dedicated to raising these essential funds to enable Julia’s House to continue to provide such incredible levels of care and support, not only for the child, but for the whole family.”

Mr Wadley thanked Goughs for its support and said: “We are delighted and very grateful that Goughs decided to support us and wish them luck in their fundraising attempts during 2016. We receive just 5% of our total annual funding from government, so support from local businesses and the wider community is absolutely crucial to our care.

“Having access to frequent, free respite care, in our new hospice and also in the community and their own homes, will make such a huge difference to local families providing round-the-clock care to a seriously ill child. The new hospice will enable us to reach out to every family in Wiltshire that needs our support, no matter where they live."

To sponsor Goughs Solicitors and help support Julia’s House please visit www.justgiving.com/company/goughs