Dorothy and her Wizard of Oz friends launched St Francis Hospice’s �50,000 appeal last week.

Fundraisers dressed up as the characters at The Liberty Shopping Centre, Romford, for some fun for the Yellow Brick Road appeal.

As part of the launch there was face painting, colouring and a trail to spot St Francis Hospice logos in shop windows.

Hospice staff and volunteers were joined by RBS employees, who dressed up as Wizard of Oz characters to raise awareness about the appeal.

About �2,000 was raised by Barclays staff doing a collection to start the appeal.

The money will be used to help run the Havering-atte-Bower hospice services for terminally ill patients by providing an inpatient unit and a community palliative care team.

Lynda Head, the hospice community fundraising manager, said: “The Yellow Brick Road appeal is part of our Go Yellow campaign and we hope you will help us to raise money towards our vital care services for local people affected by cancer or other life-limiting illness.

“If we reach our �50,000 target, it would enable St Francis Hospice to provide its full range of services for about three days.

“These services include our inpatient unit, day hospice, home service, physiotherapy and counselling, giving local people affected by a life-limiting illness access to practical and emotional support at a time when they need it most.

“We want businesses, community groups, individuals and relatives or friends to get behind our appeal and organise their own fundraising event themed on the colour yellow or the yellow brick road.”

Ideas include holding a dress-in-yellow day, a go yellow cake sale, a tea party, lunch event or pot luck dinner.

For more information about the appeal or for support organising your own fundraising event call Lynda Head on 01708 771412 or visit www.sfh.org.uk.