A local charity has thanked the people of Cumbria for their support after raising nearly £13,000 from an annual raffle. 

Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland launched its sunflower raffle in April with the charity’s spring issue of Contact magazine and made the draw on August 29. 

Prizes included afternoon tea for two at The Inn on the Lake, Ullswater, a day at the races including a two-course meal at Carlisle racecourse, and an inflatable hot tub.

The raffle would raise an incredible £12,915 which will help the charity to provide more care and comfort to local patients, families, and carers in the home.

Jenny Urwin, Fundraiser for Hospice at Home said: "We would like to share a big thank you to our sponsors Cariget Cowen as well as Inn on the Lake at Ullswater, The Crown &Thistle at Rockcliffe, North Lakes Hotel and Spa in Penrith, Carlisle Racecourse, Genevieve, Thomas Graham and Sons, The Black Swan Inn at Culgaith, Rickerby Retreat, and other donations.

"Phoning around the winners to inform them was a special experience as many shared their personal stories of how Hospice at Home has helped them in the past."

The raffle remains one of the charity's core ways of fundraising and they couldn’t do it without the sponsorship from Cariget Cowen, the many local businesses that have donated a range of prizes, and everyone who bought a ticket.

Hospice at Home will launch its Christmas raffle this month ahead of the draw on December 5, with a number of exciting prizes including pantomime tickets at the Sands Centre on offer. 

Tickets can be bought now via the hospice's website, or collected from shops in Carlisle, Wigton and Penrith.