Do you have the bottle for some wine at nine?

THE fundraising team at St Luke's is challenging members of the public to use their bottle to raise funds for the Winsford hospice.

The palliative care home staff will embrace the National Hospice Campaign Wine at Nine appeal during September and they're offering the chance to enjoy a tipple - from a free Hospice-provided bottle of wine - in return for raising £100.

Community fundraiser Rebecca Evans said: "This is a big campaign for St Luke's and runs along the same lines as Tea at Three.

"The original idea is to raise money for the hospice by holding a wine evening but we want something a bit different. Basically, we are offering to provide people with a bottle of wine and challenging them to raise £100 or more from it in any way they like."

Existing ideas for events include a cheese and wine evening, wine tasting, a bucks fizz 9am office party, back to school celebration drinks for mums and dads, a barbecue and bottle party, or an 'auction the bottle' night.

But Rebecca said hospice staff hope the public will surprise them with some inspired plans of their own. She added: "Squires Restaurant in Crewe has donated a prize of a meal for four for the most imaginative fundraising idea, so the zanier the better."

And fundraising manager Wendy Gibson believes the public should take advantage of the campaign.

She said: "If there was ever a good reason to enjoy a glass of wine, this is it.

"People will be able to relax and know they're doing their bit to help the Hospice at the same time."

If you would like to take part or hold your own Wine at Nine event, call Rebecca on 01606 551246 during office hours.