THE Marie Curie Cancer Care charity is marking its 60th year of caring for people in Glasgow by launching "Pay for a Day", asking businesses to cover the running costs of its hospice for a single day of their choice.

The donation of £6,479 covers the 24-hour cost of funding nursing costs, patient meals and various daycare services at the hospice in Stobhill, which cares for 1,400 people through its 30 in-patient beds and day and outpatient service.

The hospice opened in 2010 after a £16 million fundraising project led by the late Donald Storrie and by John Watson, who sold his Glasgow printing company a year ago and this year gave the hospice a £50,000 donation.

To kickstart the campaign, Alan Wiseman, former leader of the dairy group, and his wife Margaret have nominated their wedding anniversary November 6 as their day to support.

Mr Wiseman said: "When we first visited the hospice, we saw first-hand what a remarkable place it is. Early in 2014, Marie Curie stepped in to help care for our Aunt Mary as she approached the end of her life.

"For a crucial period over two weeks, the care the nurses provided daily was incredible, both for her and the whole family."

Paul Frame, managing director of the Glasgow office of financial advisers and brokers Tilney Bestinvest, and a member of the hospice's development board, said: "Our staff are fundraising to pay for a whole day of care on Mother's Day, March 15. This is a demonstrable way to show our support for the charity and say a big thank you to all their staff."

Vivien Kyles, chief executive of Hamilton Park Racecourse, another board member, says their chosen date is September 23 - the day her racecourse team met a £19,000 fundraising target for the hospice this year.