'The people of Warrington have kept this hospice going' (From Warrington Guardian)

'The people of Warrington have kept this hospice going'

FROM humble beginnings in an eight-bed converted vicarage to a purpose-built, fully equipped 10-bed facility, St Rocco's Hospice wants to thank you, the Warrington public, for 20 years of unstinting support.

This year marks a monumental landmark in the history of the town's hospice and staff want Warrington Guardian readers to know that its success is down to you.

For 20 years, the people of Warrington have been emptying their pockets and giving all they can to St Rocco's and it is thanks to this that it can now provide round-the-clock care to thousands of patients and their families every year.

In March 1985, the first patient was admitted to the old hospice, the former vicarage of St Ann's Church, and since then tens of thousands of people have passed through its doors to receive first rate care.

The hospice depends entirely on the financial support of the local community and therefore nothing can be taken for granted.

And yet, time and time again, the people of the town have dug deep to support their favourite charity.

This year also marks the sixth anniversary of the opening of the new hospice in Lockton Lane, Bewsey, a state-of-the-art facility that provides care for up to 11 inpatients and 15 day care patients at any one time.

And with your continued help, the hospice hopes to launch its next appeal this year, to extend day care facilities to incorporate separate units for arts and crafts, one-to-one counselling and support and complimentary therapies, all of which at the moment take place in the one room.

Claire Manock, part of the fundraising team at the hospice, said: "For 20 years now the people of Warrington have kept this hospice going and we are more grateful than they'll ever know.

"They know that it is their hospice and should they ever need it St Rocco's will be there for them.

"With their continued support we hope to increase the level of care at the hospice and provide even more facilities for our patients."