A NEW convenience store in Lymington celebrated its launch by making a £500 donation to the town’s Oakhaven Hospice.

Mike Denny, head of fundraising and communications for Oakhaven, performed the opening ceremony at the Tesco Express store in South Street.

Mr Denny, pictured above second left with staff at the Tesco Express, said: “Oakhaven is an independent hospice looking after patients and families suffering from life limiting illness in the south New Forest and Waterside.

“We look after around 180 patients weekly and it costs us in the region of £3m every year to do that for which we receive just 13 per cent NHS funding.

“Consequently we are very dependent on our own fundraising initiatives and the support of our local community.

“Donations like this from businesses like Tesco are very welcome and we thank them for their support and wish them well with this new store.”