Corrie star supports Manchester hospice

Coronation Street star Kate Anthony has agreed to become a charity ambassador for a Greater Manchester hospice.

The actress, who plays Molly Dobbs's (Vicky Binns) aunt Pam Hobsworth on the ITV1 soap, was asked to take on the new commitment during a visit to St Ann's hospice at the weekend.

Anthony has worked closely with the specialist care centre in the past. Last year, she led 3,000 people on a midnight walk through Manchester to raise money for the hospice. She also plans to front next year's event on July 2, 2010.

Speaking about her new role, the soap star explained: "It's a wonderful cause and I was astonished to learn that it costs over £9m to keep the hospice open each year, and the majority of this comes from voluntary contributions. Only 35% is received from government funding, so it's vitally important that St Ann's gets continuous support."

She continued: "After taking part in the original Manchester Midnight Walk, which is a wholly organised event by St Ann's, I decided to find out as much as possible about what they do and offer as far as their services are concerned."

The hospice's fundraising officer Mandy Pope added: "To have Kate on board as an ambassador for St Ann's means so much to us. Kate is clearly passionate about the St Ann's cause and I know she will make herself available whenever possible, and moving forward she will undoubtedly help us raise the profile and services of St Ann's."

Anthony joined Coronation Street last year. Her character will be seen discovering Molly's infidelity in tonight's episode of the Weatherfield soap.