Alton Methodist Church collected £5,800 for children’s hospice charity Naomi and Jack’s through a year of fundraising efforts.

The sum was generated by weekly coffee mornings, coffee collections each Sunday, special events run by the Boys’ Brigade and the Girls’ Brigade, and the church’s annual Gift Day.

Naomi and Jack’s provides expert care for seriously ill babies, children and young adults in its hospice near Winchester.

Karen Sanderson from Naomi and Jack’s attended Alton Methodist Church’s coffee morning on September 22 to accept the donation from treasurer Graham Titterington and steward Alan Robb.

Karen said: “Thank you to the congregation at Alton Methodist Church, who have managed to raise such a wonderful amount.

“We rely on the kindness and generosity of our community to provide outstanding hospice care for local families, and the money that they have raised will make a real difference.

“It helps us create special memories for families to treasure, like spending time together in our hydrotherapy pool.

“Thanks to supporters like Alton Methodist Church, we can be here for families across central southern England.”

In the church’s statement on the donation, Alan Robb wrote: “We all know that hospice care is vital for the families they support and pray that Naomi and Jack’s can continue their great work with help from the community, such as this donation.”

Naomi and Jack’s supports more than 650 families in central southern England with care, specialised short respite breaks, play and activities, therapeutic support, end of life care and bereavement support.

Jack’s Place is the only hospice in the region that offers specialised care, support and independence for young adults.

Medical developments are helping more seriously ill children to reach adulthood, so Jack’s Place is continuing that care, along with providing opportunities to be independent, socialise and have fun.