THE NHS Trust behind Okehampton Community Hospital has launched a Christmas 'Wish Upon a Star' campaign to raise money for a new chemotherapy unit in North Devon.

The campaign, launched yesterday (Wednesday), offers an easy alternative to sending Christmas cards in the workplace. People can download a poster from the trust's website, put it on the wall and ask friends and colleagues to write a Christmas message on one of the stars.

For every 'wish' written, people put a donation in a pot and send it to the fundraising team for North Devon District Hospital's chemotherapy appeal.

The appeal is raising funds to build a proposed £2.2-million chemotherapy and day treatment unit.

Julie Whitton, the appeal's new fundraising officer, said: 'We hope the idea will be of particular interest to local businesses and staff, but it's suitable for individuals as well.

'Not only will your money go to a fantastic cause, it could also save you many hours of writing cards and help protect the environment.

'Posters can be downloaded and printed in A3 or A4 as many times as you like, or contact us and we'll send you a copy.'

The campaign was launched next to the proposed site for the new chemotherapy unit.

All Christmas Wish upon a Star donations should be sent to the Fundraising Office, Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, Raleigh Park, Barnstaple, EX31 4JB.

For more information about the Appeal, call the fundraising team on 01271 311772 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]