JULIA’S House is appealing for more volunteers to join its growing number of friends’ groups across Wiltshire.

The children’s hospice charity currently has four groups in the county in Devizes, Chippenham, Pewsey and Marlborough and on Salisbury Plain helping with fundraising events and raising awareness.

Alison Radevsky, chairman of the Devizes Friends of Julia’s House said: “We are very keen to build on what has been a really fun, rewarding and successful year for the group.

“To do that, we would be very pleased to welcome new volunteers to get involved with events, collections, presentations and all sorts of other activities for Julia’s House in the Devizes area and surrounding villages.

“We are all so excited about helping the charity during what promises to be a busy and enjoyable year with the new Wiltshire children’s hospice set to open next Spring.

The Devizes group of friends has raised a huge amount of money in a short space of time. One of its biggest fundraisers was a ball held at Dauntsey School in September in support of the Gazette's Julia's House appeal. We are aiming to raise £100,000 in our 200th anniversary year to pay for carers for Wiltshire families and the ball raised £28,000.

A live auction proved one of the highlights of the evening, with a villa holiday break in Barbados raising £2,800, while a Fender Precision Bass guitar signed by Sting sold for £2,000.

The Devizes friends have also been to other fundraising events including Dragon Boat Racing in Chippenham and a teddy bear picnic in Devizes.

Ian Wadley, Wiltshire Fundraising Manager for Julia’s House, said: “By delivering talks and presentations, managing collection boxes and organising events, our volunteers make a very real difference in raising vital awareness and funds for Julia’s House. We’d be delighted to hear from anybody who can spare some time to volunteer – either independently or by joining one of our Friends’ Groups.”

For further information, contact Julia’s House on 01980 677105 or visit juliashouse.org.