WHAT will you do with your spare foreign currency in February 2002 when the Euro is introduced?

Will you: a) toss it in the bin, b) stash it under the bed in the hope that one day it might gain value as an antique or c) put it to good use by placing the spare coins/notes into a Dorothy House Hospice Care collecting box?

Your spare coins and foreign currency are a very important source of income to us and just a few coins could go a long way towards helping to provide the help and care Dorothy House gives to its patients and families.

We all know that on our return from holidays abroad we quite often bring back a few coins along with the various other paraphernalia and souvenirs.

These unwanted coins have often been kindly donated to charity and Dorothy House is not alone in benefiting from the collection of these spare coins, all of which have provided a useful stream of income.

However, this year is different. As from February 2002 the following countries are converting to one single foreign currency, the Euro: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands.

This means all other currencies will be invalid and regardless of whether you stash it in your underwear drawer or dutifully place it in your foreign piggy bank, at the end of February 2002 this currency will be completely worthless.

So what are you waiting for? Do something worthy with that spare change and put it into a Dorothy House Hospice collecting box. You can find these at any of our shops in Devizes, Chippenham and Malmesbury or alternatively bring your coins along to the Dorothy House building in Winsley, near Bradford-on-Avon.

You'll be safe in the knowledge that your spare currency is working hard for people who really need it. Every day we care for up to 500 families affected by cancer, motor neurone disease and other life threatening conditions, either in the comfort of their own homes or at the hospice in Winsley.

If you haven't got the chance to spend any foreign notes or coins by the end of February 2002 or even if you've come back from holiday and fancy a different destination next year, make those spare coins work for you by donating them to Dorothy House. We have the means to convert any foreign notes and coins to sterling and would gladly appreciate anything you have to give.

Check all those drawers, get under the bed and excavate the sides of your sofa because every little bit counts and you'll know any money you donate will be working hard for someone else who really needs our help.

JENNIE FLORY

Director of Fundraising

and Public Relations, Dorothy House Hospice