A Norwich teenager's fundraising campaign in memory of her aunt has received huge community support.

Hannah Melton, 15, of Hunter Road, in north Norwich, started an appeal to raise funds for the Specialist Palliative Care Centre at Priscilla Bacon Lodge in memory of her aunt and godmother Nicky Barrett. In October 2006, Ms Barrett, who lived at Hingham, died at the age of 50 after suffering with cancer for almost four years.

Hannah said: 'I was extremely close to my Auntie Nicky and to see her suffer with the pain of having cancer was unbearable. I was just 11 years old when cancer took her away and she spent the last few weeks of her life Priscilla Bacon Lodge. The care she received there was amazing. I want to raise funds so that the dedicated staff can carry on their wonderful work for all of the other patients and their families.'

The centre, located on Unthank Road, is run by Norfolk Community Health and Care (NCH&C), providing specialist palliative care, advice and support for patients with advanced, life-limiting illnesses and those close to them. Becky Cooper, lead nurse at Priscilla Bacon Lodge, said: 'Dealing with a life-limiting illness is difficult for patients and their families so we're very pleased to hear our work has inspired Hannah and her family to raise funds for the service.'

Since launching her campaign, Hannah has received overwhelming offers of support. Her school, Sewell Park College, agreed to donate 25pc of the funds raised from this year's non-uniform day in November to Priscilla Bacon Lodge after Hannah approached her headteacher with her plans.

Alongside her family and friends, she came up with a range of fundraising ideas and approached a variety of local companies.

Hannah, who has currently raised about �700, said: 'I am aiming to raise �1,000, and hopefully I will be able to continue supporting the centre through yearly fundraising events.'

Her next project will be a raffle to raise funds and give people the chance to win the huge list of prizes which range from a Scare Yourself Sensible Track Day at the Lotus Driving Academy to a Bosch Tassimo coffee maker. The prize draw is to be held at a special Christmas party on Saturday, December 18 at the Moles Rest on Fifers Lane in Norwich, with all of the proceeds going to Priscilla Bacon Lodge. The party will be priced at �5.50 per head and the local DJ Jon Inns, of Disco Stew, will be providing the entertainment.

Hannah has been holding a public collection outside the Norwich City Football Shop on the second floor of the The Mall Norwich today (Saturday) from 9am to 5pm.

For further details or to make a donation, you can visit the appeals website www.themeltonfamily.co.uk

Are you doing something for charity? Call Emma Knights on 01603 772427 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk