THE appeal to establish a much-needed hospice in Winchester was boosted by a generous £175,000 donation by the Friends of Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

The friends have long supported the RHCH, which will house the new hospice, since it was founded in 1955.

With no hospice currently located in the city, this generous donation will make a lasting difference for years to come. Patients and their families can often spend a long time travelling from their homes to receive care or visit a loved one. A hospice in Winchester will reduce the amount of time spent travelling or feeling a long way from home, so that families can enjoy special moments together.

As well as providing inpatient care, Winchester Hospice will act as a hub for specialist palliative care in the community through outpatient services, therapies and caring for people in their own homes.

Friends treasurer Patrick Piper said at the presentation: “It is a huge pleasure that the Friends are able to support the opening of Winchester Hospice. The opportunity to have specialist palliative care delivered locally in the community for the people of Winchester is incredibly important and we are sure of the positive difference the hospice will make to staff, patients and their families.”

Members of the palliative care team from the trust who will run Winchester Hospice were present at the cheque presentation. Dr Lara Alloway, medical director and consultant in palliative medicine, said: “We are extremely grateful for all the support the Friends have given staff and patients past and present. This very generous donation to Winchester Hospice is fantastic and takes us a step nearer to our aim of having a hospice in Winchester, for the people of Winchester”.

Over £2.5 million needs to be raised in order to convert Burrell House on the hospital site into Winchester Hospice.

Donna Green, chief nurse of Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust, said: “We are very grateful to the Friends of the Royal Hampshire County Hospital for this very generous donation and their support for Winchester Hospice and our hospital over the years.

“We are asking the entire community to get behind this project and help us to raise the vital funds needed to convert Burrell House into Winchester Hospice. Please get in touch with us if you’d like to be involved.”