A GIANT ladybird, given a sponsored stretcher ride from Worcester city centre to join youngsters at Acorns Children's Hospice in Bath Road, raised £500.

Once raffle prize Larry the Ladybird arrived at his destination thanks to hospice supporters, Kobi Carter, aged 11, from Redditch, was on hand to give him a welcoming hug.

Larry was carried by Andy Richards, business partner at Clydesdale Bank in The Tything; senior partner Ian Priest and Stuart Bailey, from Thomas Guise Solicitors, who donated him.

The walk boosted the amount that Andy and his team have raised for Acorns since opening earlier this year to more than £2,500.

Next March, Andy is to trek New Zealand with Acorns to raise further funds for the hospice, where four beds are still closed through lack of funding.

He said: "Larry's sponsored stretcher raised more than £500, and Clydesdale will match the total finally raised. "Acorns Children's Hospice is a very worthwhile cause, and we are proud to be linked to it."

Places are still available to join Andy on the trip of a lifetime to New Zealand in March 2007, and support life-limited children.

The trip includes hiking across the ice ridges and crevasses of the Fox Glacier with spectacular views of the icefall. Details can be found athttp://www.challenge365.co.uk/

newzealand.asp or call 0845 1206892.