The Malta Hospice Movement's eighth official Sunflower campaign came to a close on Sunday and the movement is now waiting to receive donations.

The movement has sent as many as 40,000 appeals to homes in certain areas in Malta and is waiting for them to be sent back over the next couple of months.

"They are always welcome," said Antoinette Shah, the general manager of the movement, which costs about Lm120,000 a year to run. Over the last three years, the movement has been selling its services to the government, for which it receives Lm65,000 a year. But the rest of the money is obtained through fund-raising activities and donations.

Hospice sees an average of 200 patients each month, either at home, or at hospital. All its services are free.

The movement offers palliative care for families and patients suffering from cancer and motor neurone disease. It provides physical, social, emotional and spiritual support, together with nursing, physiotherapy, complementary therapy and social work.

The movement's multi-disciplinary team has the help of around 200 volunteers, who between them dedicate about 500 hours of work to the movement each week.

The hospice campaign has two aims: raise awareness of services on offer and raise funds to be able to deliver services free of charge.

It appealed for donations to be sent to 39 Good Shepherd Avenue Balzan BZN 07. Anyone in need of the services of the Malta Hospice Movement should call on tel. 2144 0085/6.