A HOSPICE is celebrating 30 years of working in the community by looking at how it can continue to grow in the future.

Today marks the 30th anniversary of St Cuthbert’s Hospice, in Durham, which provides palliative care and support for people and their families.

Chief executive Paul Marriot said: “For 30 years, St Cuthbert’s Hospice has provided care, free of charge, to the people of Durham. We are very proud of that history and we are so grateful to everyone who has donated money or volunteered their time to help us achieve what we have.

“But we are also very excited for the future. We are ready to meet the increasing and changing needs that we know we will face over the next 30 years”.

It has launched its “Project Grow” campaign to look at how it can meet increased demand for services.

As part of the project, it has appointed Dr Tim Morgan as a new palliative care consultant and is also carrying out a feasibility study into whether it will be able to build a larger in-patient unit to cater for future demand.

To celebrate the anniversary, the hospice is inviting its supporters to take part in its Midnight Walk tonight.

 

Hundreds of people are expected to take part in the event at St Leonard’s Playing Fields, off Framwelgate Peth, from 11pm,

The event was last held in 2014, when it raised almost half a million pounds for the charity.

Jade McArdle, community and events fundraiser, said: “Midnight Walk is remembered fondly for a real camaraderie between the participants, a party atmosphere and a chance to dress up.”

“It will take place on Saturday September 22 which is the actual date that the hospice first opened its doors back in 1988, so there will be a real celebratory feel to the evening.”

Registration opens at 9.30pm tonight. Those taking part must be aged ten or older and anyone under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

It costs £15 per adult and £12 for children aged 10-15.