PEOPLE and businesses across Winchester are being urged to lend their support as the fundraising campaign to create Winchester Hospice reaches a critical stage.
Work has begun to convert the historic Burrell House building at Royal Hampshire County Hospital into Winchester Hospice, which will act as a hub for specialist palliative care – but a further £500,000 needs to be raised to pay for the entire build.
Dr Lara Alloway, chief medical officer and palliative care consultant at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It’s already shaping up to be a fantastic year, which is all down to the inspiring dedication of our brilliant fundraisers, who have already raised £3.2million. We are so excited to see work begin, but we still have a way to go to raise the full amount needed to be able to complete the work to transform Burrell House into a much-needed hospice for Winchester.
“This month, we are launching our Big Push fundraising campaign, encouraging members of the local community to get behind us and help us to achieve the last 20 per cent of funding that we need, based on current construction costs.”
The Big Push fundraising appeal is being launched with a special event on Thursday 20 February at Chesil House, Winchester, from 1.30pm.
Attendees will hear from those close to the project and will be the first to find out the latest updates, as well as learn more about the impact a hospice can have from Dr Lara Alloway, chief medical officer and Maddy Thomson, clinical matron, both from Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Dr Alloway added: “Our work won’t stop there – once we reach the target fundraising will continue, so that we can continue to offer the people of Winchester the best and most comfortable hospice that we can, such as upgrading the beds and investing more in the outside spaces.”
The hospice, on the site of Royal Hampshire County Hospital, will be there to care for patients with long term conditions or who are at the end of their lives.
The work will see the hospice provide inpatient care for up to ten patients at a time, as well as a host of outpatient and community services.
Winchester Hospice will also be able to provide patients and their loved ones a chance to reflect and spend time together in a special garden, generously donated by Bible Society.
The garden, designed by multi-award-winner Sarah Eberle, will find its home in Winchester Hospice after first being displayed in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2020.
To find out more about Winchester Hospice, and how to get involved, visit www.winchesterhospice.com
Photo caption: Judith Charmer, Winchester Hospice fundraising manager, and Maddy Thomson, palliative care clinical matron at HHFT.