HOBBYCRAFT Altrincham is pledging to raise £1,500 for Francis House Children's Hospice.

The store is going to raise the money throughout 2013 as part of a national partnership between Hobbycraft and Together for Short Lives, the leading charity for UK children’s hospices, after the charity was named Hobbycraft’s first ever Charity of the Year.

Hobbycraft Altrincham manager, Maria Barlow, said: “We’re proud to be supporting Francis House Children's Hospice this year and we hope customers will support us in our efforts.

"From craft parties to cake making, we’re going to do as much as we can and we’d love to hear from anyone who wants to join in and help.”

Customers can look out for fundraising activities throughout February half-term and this will be followed by a Butterfly Craft Party on March 30 and will include face painting, butterfly themed demonstrations and a craft sale.

Peter Forster, fundraising manager at Francis House Children's Hospice, said: “We would like to thank Hobbycraft for their support.

Fundraising is essential for the children’s hospice to operate and without it we wouldn’t be able to provide the services we do.

"I’m looking forward to working with Hobbycraft and learning some new crafts myself!”

If all 75 Hobbycraft stores can reach their fundraising targets then they will have exceeded Hobbycraft’s national goal of raising £100,000 for Together for Short Lives and children’s hospice services.