CHIPPENHAM Rugby Club doing its best for our Julia's House appeal by organising a family fun day on March 19.

The club hopes to raise hundreds of pounds towards our goal of collecting £100,000 during 2016 for the charity which is to open a new children's hospice in Devizes next year.

There will be something for all the family when the club plays Old Patesians in a league fixture. Gates will open at 1.45pm and volunteers from Julia's House will be on hand with collection boxes.

The charity, which is already providing nurses and carers to go into homes of families in Wiltshire with sick or disabled children, will also set up a gazebo as an information point so people can find out more about its work.

Rugby club commercial manager Tracey Goodall said: "The Gazette is one of our sponsors so when we heard about the 200 Appeal we jumped at the chance to help.

"We don't really have a definite target but just hope people will be as generous as possible. The new hospice will be wonderful for Wiltshire. It will really make a difference to families here. We are all really looking forward to it."

The event will include a bouncy castle for children and a barbecue that will be open throughout the afternoon.

Julia's House also wants to get as many schools as possible involved with our appeal which will pay for all the carers who will look after Wiltshire families for the whole of 2016.

Schools can support in a number of ways, including raising awareness of Julia’s House through lessons or assemblies, or through a range of fun fundraising initiatives. Fundraising ideas include holding a non-uniform day or bake sale during Children’s Hospice Week, May 23-29, organising a Time for Tea party in June or taking part in a sporting challenge.

Ian Wadley, Wiltshire fundraising manager for Julia’s House, said: “Schools make a tremendous difference to the work of Julia’s House and we are hoping that as many as possible are able to support this hugely important appeal to help local families.”

If your school would like to get involved or if you would like Julia’s House to give a presentation in assembly, please contact Liz Froud on (01980) 677105 or email liz.froud@juliashouse.org