We have reached the milestone as the new Willow Wing extension at the hospice, which the money will go towards, is due to be officially opened by the Duchess of Gloucester. We launched our appeal in November and supporters have given their all to help us raise the cash, organising events ranging from bucket collections to wacky sponsored challenges.

The total now stands at £200,908 and more donations and sponsorship funds are expected to flood in, with several events lined up to help us reach the £450,000 target.

They include the Farmyard Frolics 10km run in Melton next weekend, and the I Do It For LOROS women's 5km run at the Leicester Tigers' ground in June.

Both events are expected to raise thousands of pounds for the extension, which opened to patients in October and will be officially opened by the duchess in a ceremony today.

LOROS corporate fund-raiser Marisa Spiteri, who is taking on sponsored challenges herself to collect funds, said: "I think it's absolutely incredible that we've reached the £200,000 mark and what's even better is that there's so much more to come. It just keeps on going. There's so much buzz around Leicestershire with regards to the appeal – the events are coming in thick and fast, as are the donations from companies and individuals."

Supporters of the appeal include pupils at Madani High School, in Evington. Year 10 and 11 children spent a day collecting during their breaks, raising more than £100. Pupil Halima Ghodawala, 14, said: "We just went round with LOROS buckets asking people to help. We knew about LOROS because someone came in to talk to us about what they do. It gives you a nice feeling, knowing you are helping other people. Charity comes from the heart."

Individual fund-raising events for the appeal include curry nights at T&K Balti House, in Green Lane Road, Leicester, and at The Curry Lounge, in Earl Shilton, an '80s day at Lox Hair Design, in Abbey Lane, Leicester, and a three-course meal and entertainment night at The Old Greyhound Inn, in Great Glen.

Companies are giving generously, with Leicester adhesive tape company Advance Tapes recently donating £1,500 to the appeal. Logistics controller Marc Lowry said: "We're at Abbey Meadows, so are fairly near to LOROS. A couple of people here have had reason to visit LOROS and we just thought it would be a good cause to donate to."

The aim of the appeal is to raise the £450,000 still needed to meet the £2m cost of the hospice's new extension, which increased the number of single-bed rooms at the hospice from eight to 19. To find out how to support the appeal, visit: http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk