Manorlands -- the Sue Ryder Care hospice at Oxenhope -- this year will need a staggering £1.9 million to provide its services.

Rising costs have added around £250,000 to the home's annual bill.

About 45 per cent of the total costs should be met by local Primary Care Trusts, but it means the remaining £1 million-plus will have to come from voluntary contributions.

Manorlands fundraisers say everyone at the hospice has pledged to do what they can to bring in the cash, but they are appealing for public support.

Fundraising manager Janine Walderman said: "Manorlands can only offer its vital service with local support, and every year we are amazed by the generosity of people from the Keighley district.

"Fundraising at Manorlands is a real team effort. All departments have pledged to help raise £1.05 million this year and we're urging others to continue to give their backing in any way they can.

"We have had an excellent start to the year -- letters appealing for support were sent out to individuals around Christmastime, and that venture has raised £5,000.

"We are aiming to build upon our usual annual events and make this year even more successful than 2005, but we do need the help of the public and are particularly keen to hear from businesses interested in giving their backing."

The hospice provides specialist palliative care for patients with cancer and other life limiting illnesses from Airedale, Craven, Bradford and Wharfedale.

Last year Manorlands cared for 650 patients and supported hundreds more relatives, carers and friends of patients.

Hospice manager Sue Hesse said: "Sue Ryder Care is dedicated to helping people get the best from life and provides expert care where people need it, supporting their choices and independence.

"As well as enabling people to spend their final days free of pain and able to die with dignity, our hospice care services reach out into the community through teams of specialist nurses, working alongside other healthcare professionals to give advice on symptoms and help keep patients at home if that is their wish.

"We care for all of a person's needs, be they social, psychological, physical or spiritual, and offer support to their families.

"We are now caring for more patients with complex medical needs which may require specialist medical equipment and increased staffing levels.

"All this and our need to be innovative and constantly strive to exceed expected standards means that we are looking at increased costs for 2006."

Several hugely successful fundraising events staged in 2005 will be held again this year.

The Manorlands Challenge, which last year coined in £36,000, is being repeated.

The venture -- organised chiefly by Keighley brewery Timothy Taylor, and supported by the Territorial Army -- will again include a sponsored walk, dray pull and dinner.

This year's Manorlands garden party -- on July 9 -- takes on special significance. The extravaganza, the hospice's biggest single annual fundraising event, is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Other fundraisers will include the Bront Vintage Gathering on May 13 and 14, and the spring and Christmas fairs.

Janine said: "Events such as the Manorlands Challenge and the Bront Vintage Gathering are organised by others in aid of the hospice, and we are so grateful for their support.

"If anyone else would like to stage an event for us we would be delighted to hear from them and we will give the event our full organisational support."

Anyone wanting to help Manorlands by volunteering or holding a fundraising event is asked to contact the hospice's fundraising office on 01535 640430.