The Valentine's Ball at Longleat House was not only a great evening, but also raised more than £6,000

Make more of your money
By signing a simple Gift Aid declaration you can make sure all your donations to Dorothy House are worth 28 per cent more, at no cost to you.

Providing you are a UK resident and tax payer we can reclaim the tax on any donation sent to us. This year, for the first time, you can donate all or part of your tax repayment to a charity of your choice using your Self Assessment return. The Dorothy House Foundation code number is JAA73AG.

Regular giving
You can give a regular amount monthly, quarterly or annually by banker's order. This is a particularly valuable way of giving to Dorothy House as this security of income allows us to plan with confidence for future patient services.

Collecting boxes
We already have collecting boxes in local shops, pubs and workplaces, and some people already have a box at home. During the coming year we will be launching a specially designed home collecting box - it is amazing how quickly spare change adds up to a worthwhile sum.

Remember us in your will
This easy and very tax efficient way of giving is particularly valuable to us. By remembering Dorothy House Hospice Care in your will, you can secure the future of a vital local service and leave a precious gift of care for future generations. One legacy has provided the funds to run our Hospice at Home service for six months. Our legacy leaflet and booklet details how you can leave money, assets or stocks and shares to Dorothy House.

Pennies from Heaven
Donating the odd pennies from your monthly salary is an easy way of payroll giving. Wiltshire County Council employees raise hundreds of pounds a month for us in this way. If you would like to know how to set up a Pennies from Heaven scheme at your workplace, please contact our fund raising department on the number below.

Charity of the year
Nominate Dorothy House as your charity of the year at work or at your club. There are mutual benefits from an association with your local hospice - to find out more, phone our corporate fundraiser.

Join in our events
Take part in Girls on Top, or the Stock Market Challenge. Alternatively, run in the Bath Half Marathon or the London Marathon.

• For more details on any of the ways to help Dorothy House detailed here, contact the Fundraising Department on 01225 721480

Rachel Carter's mother was cared for by Dorothy House in the last weeks of her life. Rachel and her family have since raised more than £1,000 in her memory; this is their story ...

Rachel Carter and family at the Bath Half Marathon

IN May 2002, we lost our lovely Mum. She had quite a battle with breast cancer, and died aged only 70.

The Dorothy House staff were so kind and caring to Mum and Dad and all our family, and while the loss was and still is heartbreaking, without Dorothy House I can't even begin to imagine what might have happened.

In the weeks that Mum Rachel Carter and family at the 2003 Bath Half was at Dorothy House my Marathon sisters and I and Dad made sure that at least one of us was with Mum every day. We spent many hours travelling, as most of us live in Hampshire, but always felt welcomed and that Mum was in the best possible care.

After Mum died we just kept thinking how grateful we were that those last weeks were spent at Dorothy House - and of course wanted to try and give a little something back.

My family - my Dad, two sisters, their husbands, six nephews and nieces, my two children and partner and Mum's brother - firstly did a sponsored walk in June 2002. This had special meaning as it was all around the area in which Mum grew up.

Then in March 2003 I persuaded my partner, Mark, my brother-in-law Chris,my best friend's husband Gary and my cousin Michael to enter the Bath Half Marathon. Most of us had never run in our lives before so the training was hard, but the satisfaction was immense and well worth it.

This year, just Mark, Chris - who needs a hip replacement and was told not to run - and I entered again, and managed to collect a decent sum.

I think that doing something positive such as the run has brought our family a bit closer together and given us something to aim towards.

We have also been to the Tree of Light ceremonies and the remembrance service at the hospice. We all find some comfort in returning occasionally to Dorothy House, where we experienced so much genuine care and kindness, and we hope we can continue in some small way to show our gratitude.