ST Richard’s Hospice is urging local people to dig deep and help with the final push to raise the remaining £494,000 of the £5.3m Build 2020 appeal.

The Worcestershire hospice launched the major appeal in January 2018 to redevelop the existing building in Wildwood Drive and add a large extension to allow them to support more patients and families.

St Richard’s fundraising director Tricia Cavell said, “Thanks to everyone’s wonderful generosity, the finish line of this major project is in sight.

"We are so grateful to each and every person who has contributed. It’s with their help that we will be able the see the dream hospice for Worcestershire become a reality.

“We’re asking people now to help us finish the building and buy the specialist equipment we need to fill the rooms of the living well centre and help make a difference to thousands in the future. We know it’s still a large amount of money, but are very hopeful that everyone will get behind this final push to reach the target.”

New rooms will include an exercise studio where patients will be able to use equipment that’s suited to their specific needs such as special exercise bikes that can be operated from a wheelchair.

The horticultural therapy room will need adjustable height work benches and sinks so people can work from chairs, wheelchairs or standing up.

The training kitchen will be used for lots of different activities from the bereavement group making a meal together to patients relearning cooking skills to help them stay as independent as possible.

The art studio will help patients and their loved ones use the creative process to explore feelings of loss, change and uncertainty and creative therapy can bring joy and feelings of self-worth.

Other rooms include a large new music and cinema room where music therapy will be offered; complementary therapy room for therapies including reflexology and aromatherapy and a counselling room. There patients and their loved ones can talk with experienced counsellors in a calm space.

The redevelopment and expansion are well under way and the hospice has already welcomed patients and their families into the bright and modern redeveloped day rooms and reception areas.

St Richard’s launched the Build 2020 appeal as areas of the hospice were bursting at the seams and they were struggling to respond to the ever-increasing number of patients.

Demand for hospice care is set to rise sharply with an aging population and people living longer with multiple illnesses including neurological and heart, renal and respiratory conditions as well as cancer.

All the new and expanded services will run alongside St Richard’s current wide range of patient and family care including support in people’s own homes and 17 in-patient beds.

How to donate to the Build 2020 Appeal

The easiest and quickest way to donate is online via www.strichards.org.uk/build2020

Alternatively, donations by cheque can be made to St Richard’s Hospice and sent to St Richard’s Hospice Build 2020 Appeal, The Fundraising Dept, Wildwood Drive, Worcester, WR5 2QT or telephone 01905 763963.

St Richard’s Hospice cares for adults with a serious progressive illness, improving their quality of life from diagnosis, during treatment and to their last days. It also supports their loved ones.

Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,300 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.

St Richard’s is an independent charity and relies on donations and gifts in Wills for the majority of its income with 22% funded by the NHS.

For more information about St Richard’s Hospice visit www.strichards.org.uk