HERE’S your chance to help the Observer’s hospice appeal reach the new target of £50,000 and save money yourself at the same time.

Smart-Savers is a community-based loyalty card accepted at over 60 businesses in Rochdale. The card costs £5, but Smart-Savers will donate £2.50 to the appeal from every card sold through the Observer.

Smart-Savers managing director Rashid Hussain is delighted to be helping our appeal. He said: "The idea behind Smart-Savers is to help the local community – residents and businesses – and we see helping the hospice as another way of putting something back into the community. We can make a big difference by working together."

Springhill Hospice fund-raising manager, Ian Jenkins said: "We’re delighted that Rashid and Smart-Savers have come on board to support the Observer’s appeal.

"Smart-Savers provides local support for businesses and the community and the hospice is a community service so it’s great to be working together.

"We hope this will swell the coffers of the Observer appeal."

The Smart-Savers card aims to boost the local economy by encouraging consumers to buy local. Each and every time you use the loyalty card at a participating business, you can save money.

Card holders can obtain regular, exclusive discounts and offers at a large number of local businesses, which range from eating out and leisure activities to shopping.

Some of the latest businesses to join the scheme include Heroes Fine Foods and Estilo ladieswear in Edenfield Road, Norden and Strike 10 Bowl in Sandbrook Park. For a full list of businesses in the scheme visit www.smart-savers.co.uk

Local businesses interested in joining the scheme can contact Smart-Savers on 08451 222 415 or email: info@smart-savers.co.uk.

On 20 October Smart-Savers will be going into Hopwood Hall College to offer all students the card for half price.

To get your Smart-Savers card and help the hospice appeal just complete the form in this Saturday's Observer (11 Oct) and send it to: Smart-Savers/Hospice Appeal, Rochdale Observer, Drake Street, Rochdale, OL16 1PH, with a cheque for £5 made payable to Smart-Savers.