THE crystal clear tones of handbells entertained shoppers in two Hereford stores and raised £1,900 for the new Acorns Children's Hospice.
The customers at Tesco and Sainsbury enjoyed the music and gave generously to The Monday Handbell Ringers, who spent two weekends providing the musical entertainment for shoppers.
The group of 11, which meets once a week in Hereford to practice ringing, each year chooses a good cause to support.
In 2002 it was the Charles Renton Unit at the County Hospital and in 2001 the Air Ambulance.
"We chose the Acorns Hospice last year and played for various organisations and clubs, and residential homes but most of our money was raised in two weekends at Tesco and Sainsbury,'' said spokeswoman Janet Watson.
The group has been developing its skills in handbell ringing for 10 years and is now preparing to swing into action to support this year's good cause - Macmillan Nurses.
The Acorns Children's Hospice at Worcester is now under construction and the foundation stone was laid last week by the charity's founder patron, The Earl of Lichfield.
The overall cost will be £4 million of which £3.25 million has now been raised.
It is expected the 10-bedroom hospice will be completed in December and open early in 2005.
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