KIRKWOOD Hospice is celebrating as one of Britain’s top fundraising small charities.

The hospice finished runner up in the “Highest Average Net Profit Per Shop Per Week” for charities with 11-20 shops at the annual Association of Charity Shops (ACS) Awards ceremony, in Keele, earlier this month.

ACS provides expertise and support for 280 charities with 6,800 shops.

Each of Kirkwood’s shops averaged £700 profit a week in 2007.

Dalton-based Kirkwood Hospice, which has shops across Kirklees, provides palliative care with terminal illnesses.

Kirkwood retail coordinator Susan Marsden said: “Everyone at Kirkwood connected with the retail operation is delighted with this award which will sit alongside a similar award we received in 2005.

“There are so many people who work extremely hard for us to receive such recognition. In addition to our staff and volunteers there are our regular band of customers and donors who are key in ensuring we continue to raise the funds that we need to care and support patients throughout Kirklees.”

For more information about Kirkwood Hospice visit: www.kirkwoodhospice.co.uk or call: 01484 557911.