PATIENTS at the Dalziel Centre hospice in Motherwell received an early New Year gift, thanks to kind-hearted fundraisers.

Staff at the Motherwell Pension Centre donated £950 to the day hospice, which offers emotional psychological and social support to patients, carers and families who live with cancer and with MS.

The money was raised during the pension centre's 2012 Olympic Summer event.

Ann Marie Mcguinnes, from the Pension Centre, said: "We had special days, each dedicated to the countries competing in the Olympics.

"We chose to donate to the Dalziel Centre as we wanted to support a local charity, and one that doesn't receive national funding.

"We hope that the money raised will help the centre in a big way."

Money donated to the Dalziel Centre helps fund services which are important to the patients and support groups.