FROM film stars and footballers to pop stars and politicians, they're all backing our Big Build appeal. And they've helped us reach another huge fundraising milestone - an amazing £1.5million!

Only five months after we launched the appeal to build a new £16m state-of-the-art Marie Curie hospice for Glasgow we've reached this significant total.

It's all down to the overwhelming generosity of the real stars of the appeal - the army of fund-raisers who've gone the extra mile to raise the vital cash.

The appeal has attracted high profile celebrity backers, all of whom have been keen to lend their names to the appeal.

Scotland manager Alex McLeish was among the first to support the appeal.

He said: "Almost all of us know somebody who has been affected by cancer or who has need of hospice facilities.

"It's something we have to reckon with in modern life and that's why hospice care is so important. The facilities will be greatly welcomed by patients and their families and friends.

"The Big Build appeal is a huge project, but Glaswegians being the people they are, I know they will get behind it."

SUPPORT OUR APPEAL GLASGOW has proved it has a big heart by backing the Big Build - the campaign to help build a new Marie Curie hospice in the city. The current hospice at Stobhill, which cares for people aged 18 and over with terminal illnesses, is more than 30 years old and desperately needs to be replaced with a new, modern hospice. It will cost £16million to build, over £8m of which has already been raised. Our campaign aims to raise a further £8m. Read features, news and updates from www.mariecurie.org.uk/bigbuild. For more information or to receive a fundraising pack call 0141 531 1383 HOW TO DONATE There are a number of ways to make a donation. Send a cheque, with your name and address to: The Big Build Evening Times, Marie Curie Cancer Care, FREEPOST, Admail ADM4018, Glasgow, G1 2ZY. Please make cheques out to Marie Curie Cancer Care. Donate online at www.mariecurie.org.uk/bigbuild. Or call in to your local Marie Curie Cancer Care shop.

McLeish's support is backed up by former England and Rangers player Terry Butcher. He said: "My old mate, Gordon Brown, the Scotland rugby player, died a few years ago.

"I visited him when he was in a hospice and I saw that kind of care is needed."

And former Celtic and Scotland midfielder Paul McStay added: "I'm behind the Big Build appeal and wish it every success.

"I hope people will continue to support it generously."

Firebrand politician Tommy Sheridan is also backing the appeal.

The former Solidarity MSP said: "It's a tremendous cause and all of Glasgow should get behind this campaign.

"No one knows whether one of their loved ones will be struck by this horrible disease and the best care is essential at such a difficult time."

One of Britain's most successful businesswoman has also lent her support.

Jacqueline Gold, owner and founder of Ann Summers, said: "It's a brilliant campaign and Marie Curie is a fantastic charity which does very good work.

"I hope everyone in Glasgow backs this appeal and makes it a huge success."

Other celebs have also weighed in with their support - by signing our Big Build t-shirt, which will be auctioned off later this year.

Among the big names to have made their mark are Lord of the Rings star Billy Boyd, pop star Paolo Nutini and comedian Frankie Boyle.

I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here star David Gest, who donated a signed copy of his Simply the Gest autobiography, and television presenter Carol Smillie have also signed the t-shirt and backed the appeal.

So have Elaine C Smith, Andy Cameron, Rangers footballer Thomas Buffel and Ibrox legend John Greig.

Now that Scotland's celebrities have done their part, it's your turn.

The 30-year-old hospice at Hunters Hill at Stobhill Hospital is in desperate need of replacement.

A new hospice will cost £16m to build, half of which has already been raised.

The Big Build appeal, which was launched in April, is aiming to raise the remaining £8m.

The new hospice, which will be built in the grounds of Stobhill Hospital, will feature a raft of state-of-the-art facilities, including piped oxygen to each bedside and en suite bathrooms.

To have reached £1.5m in such a short space of time is testament to the small army of groups and individuals who have worked tirelessly to raise money for the appeal.

Donald Storrie, appeal chairman, said: "We are delighted to have reached this milestone and indebted to the organisations and people of Scotland for their extreme generosity.

Donald added: "We are now confident of reaching our target of £8m which will ensure the building of the new Marie Curie Hospice."

Anna Grady, hospice manager, added: "The support we have received from the people of Glasgow has made a significant impact on the considerable sum required to provide a new hospice for Glasgow's cancer patients. We are delighted!"

We may have reached a tremendous milestone, but there's still a lot of work to do before we reach £8m. Now, it's your turn to dig deep.

Celebs flock to back Marie Curie appeal - but our ordinary readers are the real stars
Lord of Rings star Billy Boyd is proud to show off his campaign t-shirt	TV star David Gest	Rangers footballer Thomas Buffel	Ann Summers owner and founder Jacqueline Gold with the t-shirt

Comic Andy Cameron backs the Big Build

Elaine C Smith is delighted to support the campaign

Celtic legend Paul McStay

Solidarity leader Tommy Sheridan gets behind our hospice appeal