THE Corsham and District Ladies Darts League have raised in excess of £9,000 for Dorothy House since the death of their treasurer Anita Moar more than ten years ago, and are still going strong.

The league is backing the Gazette's appeal, which is aiming to raise £30,000 for the hospice to help pay for a worker to care for patients in their own home.

Although the hospice is based in Winsley, near Bradford on Avon, it helps hundreds of patients from across North Wiltshire and Kennet every year.

Mrs Moar, who spent time at the hospice before her death from cancer, has inspired the team to continue raising money for the cause.

Secretary Betty Godsell said: "Anita was my best friend for 34 years so Dorothy House is something that is extremely close to my heart.

"We met through our children when they were at school and we founded the darts club together in 1973.

"We chose to raise money for Dorothy House in memory of Anita, but also because there are many ladies in our team who know people that have been cared for by the wonderful staff there.

"They do a fantastic job and we will continue to support them as we have done for all these years."

The darts league holds a a series of fundraisers throughout the year, including raffles to raise money for the hospice.

Once a year they also play host to a special darts awards ceremony at which they contribute money from sales of tickets and a raffle to their chosen cause.

The women meet at Corsham Community Centre once a week.

Centre manager Mike Robson said: "This is an organisation that means so much to everyone here that it is also now the chosen charity for the community centre as a whole, as well as the darts league, this year.

"Any money we raise here will be donated to the hospice throughout the next twelve months.

"My wife, Maggie, also passed away from cancer and was cared for at Dorothy House for about a week before her death in December of last year, so it is something that I personally feel very strongly about."

This year the darts league has raised around £1,000 through competitions and raffles, as well as a special competition called Anita's Pairs, named after their former treasurer.

Mr Robson added: "The staff at the hospice are absolutely wonderful, and we will also be holding a dance later in the year in memory of my wife to try and make some more money to donate to the hospice."

Mr Robson is looking for anyone from the community to support the event by donating raffle prizes. Tickets will be available from the community centre nearer the time.