REPRESENTATIVES from Julia's House say they are staggered by the contributions of Lloyds Bank branches across Wiltshire who donated £53,000 to them.

A year on from when the charity's head of corporate fundraising, Ged Montgomery, approached the bank to help towards their plans for a new multi-million pound children's hospice in Devizes, Lloyds branch managers across the county gleefully handed over the huge sum last Wednesday.

Mr Montgomery, who began the partnership with the goal of merely raising their profile, said he was overjoyed at their generosity and could not thank them enough.

"Everyone at the charity is just staggered by this incredibly generous donation," he said.

"When I contacted them at the start of last year, I just wanted to raise the profile of the charity and raise awareness, but to raise this much is mind boggling.

"They have done incredibly well and got behind us in a way I would have never thought possible. I cannot thank them enough, they are just fantastic. Never for one moment did I think they would raise more than £50,000.

"It was great getting the different branch managers and workers together to celebrate their great work. But I also want to thank the customers who have been wonderful.

"Julia's House was not really heard of just over a year ago, now thanks to the brilliant support of the Gazette and Herald, whose appeal raised more than £100,000 for us, and others, people really know about us and we are forever grateful."

Gough Solicitors also announced that they have chosen Julia's House and Wiltshire Air Ambulance as their charity partners for 2017.

Ian Wadley, Wiltshire Fundraising Manager for Julia’s House, said "We are delighted to continue our partnership with Goughs after such a fun, rewarding and successful year during 2016.

"We are so grateful to all the team at Goughs for kindly choosing Julia’s House as one of their charities for 2017. Goughs’ tremendous support will make such a difference to the care we provide for local life-limited children and their families.”

Emma Taylor, of Goughs, added: "We are proud to support both these extremely worthwhile charities. We feel truly privileged to be able to work with two such well organised charities and are delighted to be able to make a real difference, at such a crucial point in time for them both."