THE success of a Shipston charity which provides care for terminally ill people in their own homes has led to the extension of its services to the Wellesbourne area.

Now families in the village itself, plus surrounding Kineton, Charlecote, Lighthorne, Gaydon, Sibford, and Swalcliffe will benefit from the Shipston Home Nursing (SHN) scheme.

Spokeswoman Sarah Scotter said: "We're so pleased to be able to extend SHN's very special nursing service.

"Having already nursed 11 patients in the new area we realise how vital this charity is to families living here."

Since June 1997 SHN's team of 24 professional nurses, has been providing around the clock care to terminally ill people in the Shipston area.

Patients are put in touch with the charity through their GPs and, following meetings between them and senior nurse Diana Kane, regular visits from SHN are maintained, allowing patients to die peacefully at home surrounded by familiar faces and objects.

The nurses work alongside GPs and district nurses and with other care organisation like MacMillan Home Care and Marie Curie.

The service is free to anyone living within its catchment area but SHN relies on donations to raise the £65,000 annual running costs.

Wellesbourne Lions have already pledged to send any money from their Christmas fund-raising efforts to SHN which is keen to hear from any other individuals or groups who can offer the financial support it needs to keep going in the Wellesbourne and Shipston areas.

If you are interested making a donation call treasurer Christopher Owen on 01608 686547 or, to help with fund-raising, call Iris Johnson on 01789 292800.

"Should anyone want to know more about our nursing service they should ask their GP or pick up a leaflet from their surgery," said Mrs Scotter.

"Alternatively Diana Kane and I will be only too pleased to come and talk either individually or to a group."

Mrs Scotter can be contacted on 01608 686303 or Diana Kane on 01608 663767.