A SOUTHAMPTON based builder's merchant has raised almost £7,000 for a local charity.

Elliotts, who supply building materials for traders and public, has raised over £6,800 for Countess Mountbatten Hospice Charity.

The money was raised by the company's employees, customers and suppliers via various fundraising activities including a golf day and a 550-mile charity bike ride through France.

Employees at the merchants also supported the charity by volunteering at their summer fete, supplying materials for the planters in the hospice garden and donating clothes and goods for it to sell in its charity boutiques.

Corporate engagement and partnerships fundraiser at the hospice, Rachel Rawlings, said: “We were absolutely delighted to be nominated by staff at Elliotts as their charity of the year for 2018/19. The whole team across all the branches were really keen to get involved and took part in a whole host of fundraising initiatives.

"We can’t thank the team at Elliotts enough for all the hard work they put into the year, and how far this will go towards supporting patients and families at the Hospice.”

The cheque was presented to the charity by managing director of Elliotts, Tom Elliott, who said: “We are thrilled to have supported the Countess Mountbatten Hospice Charity. Many employees have a connection to the hospice and I hope the money we have raised will help the hospice continue the vital work that they do.”

Eastleigh MP Mims Davies recently pledged to help Countess Mountbatten Hospice with its plans to increase services to support more people living with death, dying and bereavement.

Mountbatten Isle of Wight, which runs the Island’s Mountbatten Hospice, is now leading a partnership involving the NHS and Clinical Commissioning Groups to run Countess Mountbatten in Southampton.

Visiting before Easter, the MP pledged to continue discussions with ministers over the ongoing challenges facing the hospice, in the hope, it would attract extra grant funding to improve its building.

Ms Davies said: “It was really interesting to hear about the plans for the hospice and the new partnership. This is an example of local hospices coming together for the greater good, and I support the partnership wholeheartedly.”

A new psychology and bereavement service has been launched at Countess Mountbatten, and further new services and fundraising opportunities are being explored.