THE halfway point has been passed in our bid to raise £20,000 for St Giles Hospice – and it's all thanks to the generous donations and fund-raising efforts of Herald readers.

Over the last four months, kind-hearted Tamworth residents have pulled together to show how much the hospice's vital services mean to them by raising £10,249 for Jo's Appeal.

Each week in the Herald we've featured touching tales of how St Giles nurses have cared for seriously-ill local people and their families through some of the toughest days in their lives.

At the same time we've detailed the many ways in which readers have supported our campaign to fund a year's worth of care from Staff Nurse Jo Pickering at St Giles' Compassus Centre in Whittington, where one in five patients is from Tamworth.

"On behalf of everyone at the hospice, I'd like to say a great big thank you to all of the Herald readers who have helped Jo's Appeal reach the halfway point," said Jo, from Dosthill, who is the face of our campaign.

"Knowing there are individuals, groups, families and companies in Tamworth who are prepared to take time from their busy schedules to help St Giles gives all of us a massive boost.

"It shows a real appreciation for our work and an acknowledgment of the high-quality care provided at St Giles Hospice for Tamworth residents every single day of the year."

She added: "This specialist service has touched the lives of many people in this town and is free of charge, but it does rely upon the charity of its local community.

"That is why I'm urging readers to continue to donate whatever they can and help us raise the funds required to make Jo's Appeal a success."

Marathon runners, disco dancers, golfers, dare-devil bungee jumpers and family-fun days have all appeared on these pages after making valuable contributions to the campaign.

In recent weeks, Jo's Appeal has kept moving towards its £20,000 target thanks to the continuing generosity of our readers and local businesses.

For example, recycling firm Smurfit Kappa has contributed £750 to Jo's Appeal so far, which the company has generated through recycling the waste paper and card left by readers at its "Superbank" at the Lamb Ground on Kettlebrook Road and at St Giles Hospice shops across the region.

And staff members at Wilkinson in Tamworth have chosen to give £80 from their community fund towards Jo's Appeal.

Meanwhile, Elaine Spencer-Burton took part in the Santa Dash before Christmas and raised £60 for our campaign.

St Giles Hospice's Compassus Centre opened in 2010 to replace the charity's out-dated In-Patient Unit in Whittington.

It is their wish to ensure more local people can access St Giles' high-quality care.