Go Dotty for hospice charity

A popular charity is hoping it has spotted a new way to raise money.

Dorothy House Hospice Care wants people to organise activities with a dotty theme to reflect its nickname of Dot House.

Pantomime dame Chris Harris joined children on the stage at the Theatre Royal to launch the initiative.

The actor, who is starring as Dame Trott in the theatre's pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, urged people to get involved with the event on April 1.

He said: "Anyone who has visited us at the pantomime will know that Dame Trott is pretty dotty already.

"Now it's your turn, so come on Bath: this is your chance to go completely dotty for one day.

"Signing up for Dotty Day 2009 is a brilliant way to raise money for this important local charity.

"Try something different, have lots of fun with your friends and colleagues and give your support to Dorothy House."

The Winsley charity offers physical, psychological, social and spiritual care to patients and their families facing life-threatening illness, death or bereavement.

Over the past year, the hospice has looked after as many as 800 patients and their families.

But it needs to raise more than £7,000 a day to keep its services going.

The vast majority of the hospice's income – 81 per cent – is spent directly on patient care.

A further 10 per cent goes on education, which indirectly benefits patients by training Dorothy House staff and other health care professionals.

Paula Smith, community fundraiser at Dorothy House said: "We'd love everyone to make it their New Year's resolution to go dotty for Dotty Day 2009.

"It's a chance for our supporters to get really creative with fundraising ideas – you could get your class or workmates to pay to wear dotty clothes for the day, hold a sponsored Twister, dominoes or tiddley winks marathon, make and sell dotty fairy cakes, or guess the number of Smarties or Jelly Tots in a tube."

Jack and the Beanstalk, which also stars Colin Baker, Chris Harris, Susan Penhaligon and Lewis Bradley is on at the Theatre Royal until Sunday January 25.

Tickets are available from the box office on 01225 448844.