A mayor has thrown his full support behind a charity s Christmas cards. Simon Speller, mayor for Stevenage, will be using a selection from the Garden House Hospice as his official cards. This year the hospice, based in Gillison Close, Letchworth GC, has a

A mayor has thrown his full support behind a charity's Christmas cards.

Simon Speller, mayor for Stevenage, will be using a selection from the Garden House Hospice as his official cards.

This year the hospice, based in Gillison Close, Letchworth GC, has around 25 card designs of various sizes and prices and they can be bought from hospice shops in Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth, Baldock and Royston.

Over 50 per cent of the purchase price of the cards goes directly to the hospice.

Cllr Speller said he recommends that people go along and take a look at what the shops have to offer.

He said: "The hospice is one of my six charities and although people see them receiving cheques donated by generous fundraisers in The Comet, they could do with as much support in raising their profile as possible.

"They have a great selection of cards this year."

Jenny Lupton, hospice manager, said: "We are very pleased that the mayor chose to use our cards this year - his support throughout his year of office is helping us to raise awareness of the work of the hospice for the local community."

In another feat of fundraising for the hospice, a group of locals from the Sir John Barleycorn pub, in Oughtonhead Way, Hitchin, have raised £1,686 for the charity after cycling 32 miles from Cambridge back to the pub.

It is the second year that regulars from the pub have raised in excess of £1,500 for the hospice.

Landlord Ron Piper said: "It all began as a tribute to a pub regular who was cared for by the hospice and died of cancer in 2005.

"Pub regulars are now thinking about what the next event and mode of transport should be.