CHRISTMAS arrived early for one enthusiastic young fundraiser.

Droitwich Spa girl Brianna Tutin collected £1,000 worth of toys and other goodies from Webbs of Wychbold last Wednesday.

Eleven-year-old Brianna is one of the first children to join the new St Richard's Hospice young fundraisers group, run by Alison Weston.

The generous donation of goodies will help the group kick start a host of fundraising activities for the hospice.

Webbs' director Marigold Webb said: "We sell many thousands of Chritsmas gifts each year and lots of children will be coming soon to see our Santa in Space Christmas Grotto. Our customers are always important to us but we also wanted to help make a difference to others within the community by helping a charity close to home.

"We are pleased to support St Richard's and the vital work it does, caring for patients and families coping with cancer and other life-threatening illness. The hospice first started in Droitwich twenty years ago and its work has touched the hearts of thousands of local people ever since."

She confirmed they were adopting St Richard's Hospice as their charity of the year for 2005.

Marilyn Peachey, St Richard's Hospice director of fundraising, said: "The support of such a well-loved company as Webbs of Wychbold will be invaluable in helping us build this new hospice as a haven of quality care."

Anyone interested in becoming a part of the new fundraisers group can attend a meeting on December 1 at Whitford Hall and Dodderhill School in Crutch Lane. Eight to sixteen-year-olds are welcome. For further details call 01905 763963.