A busy fundraising season for Winchester Hospice came to a successful close with a sold out evening of fundraising on the HMS Victory, and the news that building will soon begin.
The event on board Lord Nelson’s flagship raised an incredible £19,000 and was attended by the First Sea Lord Admiral Tony Radakin CB ADC. Guests also got the chance to go on a private tour of the Mary Rose.
Thanks to the fundraising efforts of the entire community, builders have now been appointed and work is due to begin in early December.
Reside Construction and Ridge Property & Construction Consultants will transform historic building Burrell House, on the site of Royal Hampshire County Hospital, into Winchester Hospice, a modern facility for patients and their loved ones to receive the best possible care.
The hospice will have 10 inpatient rooms as well as outpatient facilities, acting as a hub for specialist palliative care both on site and in the community, allowing the expert team to be there to care for patients with long-term illnesses, and those at the end of their lives.
It is hoped that Winchester Hospice will open its doors in early 2021, but a further £1million needs to be raised – and there are plenty of ways to get involved.
Dr Lara Alloway, a consultant in palliative medicine and chief medical officer at Hampshire Hospitals, which will run Winchester Hospice, said: “We are incredibly excited that the building works are due to start shortly, and are so thankful to everyone who has given their time or generously donated to help make this a reality.
“We aren’t at our fundraising total yet, so I w
ould encourage everybody to get behind Winchester Hospice and be part of our story. Access to local hospice services and having a place for families to be together at such a critical time is invaluable, and we know this will make a huge difference to the local community in Winchester when the hospice opens.”
The team behind Winchester Hospice are hosting a series of festive fundraisers, as well as a special light up a life event, where family members have the chance to remember their loved ones at Christmas during a special service in the hospital chapel at Royal Hampshire County Hospital at 6pm on Tuesday 10 December.
During the event, those attending will have the chance to write a dedication a loved one who has passed away or is not with them at Christmastime.
For more information, visit www.winchesterhospice.com.
To donate, visit www.winchesterhospice.com/donate.
