The cheque was presented by health care assistant Margie Nicholl who was a patient at Hazel Marsden House in Berwick last year and is returning to hospital this month for an operation.
Despite this, she'll be out treading the boards a couple of weeks later in the 2009 panto – talk about the show must go on!
Susan Bridle, chief executive of HospiceCare North Northumberland said: "We are extremely grateful to the emergency services for their continuing support of the Hazel Marsden Hospice in Berwick and I know exactly how we'll put this fantastic gift to use. Our patients rely on a band of volunteers who donate hours of time and clock up thousands of miles running them to and from the hospice.
"This gift effectively pays our volunteers' fuel costs for a full year and it's great to know that money raised in Berwick will be used in such a direct and local manner."
This year's panto - the group's eleventh - will be Barry Blotter and the Bedpan of Secrets which runs at The Maltings from February 5-7 at 7.30pm.
"If you can make it then do go along because not only will you have a great night out and a laugh, but you'll also be supporting the hospice and local community," added Susan. The panto stars 20 people drawn from the emergency services and includes doctors, nurses, ambulance staff and lifeboat volunteers amongst others.