A TRIO of volunteers have marshalled more than 60 Conwy businesses to help fill the shortfall in vital hospice funding.

Despite the "uncertain times", 69 businesses from across the county have donated prizes for the Rainbow Raffle in aid of St David's Hospice - which is projected to lose large amounts of funding as its regular income streams are squeezed by the pandemic.

The fundraiser - which has already smashed it's original £1,000 target by more than £2,400 - is set to be drawn on Friday, May 8 and is the brainchild of Glan Clwyd Hospital and Ysbyty Gwynedd pharmacy technician Alyssa Smee, former hospice employee Daisy Magill and teacher Zoe Hother.

Miss Smee, whose mother also works for the hospice, said: "Hearing that Covid 19 was having such an effect on a brilliant charity I wanted to be able to help.

"The hospice supports all parts of the community and gives outstanding care to all their patients and relatives.

"The three of us came up with the idea of the rainbow raffle, and the support from businesses has been amazing - especially in these uncertain times. So many people have wanted to help. "

Miss Hother said: “Covid-19 has had a detrimental effect on so many people. As my teaching job is now on a rota basis, I wanted to make positive use of my spare time to help those in need.

"I know that the money raised through our Rainbow Raffle will support the outstanding team at St David’s Hospice. It will allow the team to continue providing essential care for patients and their families, throughout this dreadful pandemic."

Entry for the raffle is £5 per ticket, which is the equivalent of for a patient’s meals for a whole day or for an essential medical dressing.

The trio's current total of £3,460 could pay for about nine months of oxygen supplies. At £1,200 each, it is also almost enough for mattresses for three inpatient beds or three syringe drivers to administer medicine for patients.

Former care worker miss Magill said: "As I used to work as a fundraiser and healthcare support worker, I have witnessed first hand how monies raised from this raffle will be used.

"Hospices are essential, everyone deserves to be cared for with dignity, respect and have their wishes listened to when diagnosed with a life limiting illness. We are absolutely amazed at how many people we have reached with the Rainbow Raffle a personal thank you to everyone who has supported us."

For a full list of prizes on offer, click here.

Winners will be selected at random, these will be listed via the 'Rainbow Raffle in Aid of St David's Hospice' Facebook page on Friday 8 at 5pm. Winners will be contacted via direct message with instructions of how to claim their prize.

For any businesses who would like to support by donating a suitable prize, contact the organisers through the official page.

Donations can als be made via Just Giving.