A POOLE hospice is urging businesses and residents to 'Go Yellow' next month.

Lewis-Manning Hospice, at Lilliput, is launching the initiative and wants people to 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon' in support.

Vanessa Howden-Smith, from Lewis Manning, said: "The idea is to raise awareness of our charity and what we do for the community.

"We are inviting individuals and businesses to support us by giving us a donation in exchange for a yellow ribbon, to which they could then add a message or the name of someone whom they have loved and lost.

"It doesn’t have to be someone Lewis-Manning has cared for."

Hospice staff also want businesses to create a space and either put up an artificial tree, create a window or wall, to entice customers to purchase ribbons where they can be displayed.

Vanessa said: "We are also encouraging businesses to get their teams fundraising for us and set aside a day, a week or a month supporting our 'Tie A Yellow Ribbon' and/or 'Go Yellow' for February theme.

"Anything from baking yellow cakes, dressing in yellow clothes or sticking a sunflower in your hair, the options are endless. You could even dye your beard yellow, don yellow marigolds or perhaps wear a yellow wig.

"Every penny raised means so much to us and to the people we care for who are living with a life-limiting illness.

"The more people in Dorset who join in with our Tie A Yellow Ribbon and Go Yellow for February will help our fundraising efforts for 2019, and also assist us in raising the awareness of Lewis-Manning Hospice."

Individuals can obtain the yellow ribbons from any Lewis-Manning shop, or you can call Fundraising on 01202 708470 who will then write and display the ribbon for you.

Visit www.lewis-manning.co.uk for more information.