The Hope Support Services Canoe was in the Market Place in Ross-on-Wye on Wednesday morning. The canoe has sailed to various locations around the county and Gloucestershire, but returned to Ross to collect a £250 donation from the local Lions Club.

Lorna Russell and April Shipton, of Hope Support Services, have been thrilled at the response to their appeal as many people have made donations after seeing the picture of the canoe outside Aldi in the Ross Gazette recently.

Staff and volunteers from Hope Support Services encourage people to make a small donation and take a picture in or with the canoe. They hope that their latest venture will make a splash on social media, by using the donated canoe to raise awareness of their new crowdfunding campaign.

The charity has just a few days left to raise £3000 in order to send 40 young people on a respite weekend, providing a much-needed break from a traumatic situation at home.

The young people, all of whom have a family member with a life threatening illness, will learn new skills and support each other with outdoor activities such as bushcraft, canoeing and camping.

Fundraising and Marketing Officer April Shipton said:?“We hope this somewhat silly and fun idea will catch on and encourage people to really get behind us!”

To find out more about the project or to donate, visit www.tiny.cc/Give4Hope