St Richard's has helped people with life-threatening illnesses for more than two decades, but has been hampered by its lack of a place for them to stay. Now all that is about to change, writes Zeena Lemon

This year marks a milestone for St Richard's Hospice. After years of planning and fundraising, the new £5.25m 15-bed building will open its doors to patients in the autumn.

For 22 years, staff and dedicated volunteers have helped care for thousands of patients and families in Worcestershire who are living with cancer and other life-threatening illness -- last year alone, more than 1,550 patients and bereaved families received care and support. However, unlike most other hospices, St Richard's did not have a specialist bedded unit to offer patients 24-hour specialist care.

Hospice care director Rachel Bucknall said: "Every day, our nurses see patients trying to cope at home when they really need a hospice bed, including patients needing to be looked after in the short term for pain control or symptom management or who choose not to die at home but in a place of care, peace and dignity surrounded by the people they love."

Hence the plan to build a new hospice near County Hall, Worcester. Local people quickly got behind the campaign, raising money in all manner of ways, from grand dinners and marathon running to car boot sales. And now St Richard's is looking forward to opening day.

Patients are at the heart of the design. The building will be homely, light, airy and comfortable, with mainly single bedrooms, designed to allow patients in their beds access on to a private, sheltered terrace with lovely views over the garden, lake and countryside. Families will be able to stay overnight in purpose-designed rooms nearby.

There will also be medical treatment rooms, an out-patients' department with a lymphodoema clinic, and areas for consulting, counselling, social work, physiotherapy, hairdressing and complementary therapies. There will also be a peaceful, multi-faith sacred space, coffee area, shop, education and study centre and offices for hospice staff.

Marilyn Peachey, director of fundraising, said: "The appeal has obviously been a great success and we would like to thank everyone who has made it possible. There will be no let-up for campaigners, though, as we need to generate the annual £2.8m required to provide the services in the new hospice."

A huge task indeed. However, there are many events planned for 2006, including a spectacular summer picnic, when 1,000 partygoers will dance under the stars in the spectacular grounds of Midlands businessman Dick Hickton's private home, Thorngrove, at Sinton Green, Worcester.

Not a bad way to raise much-needed cash for one of Worcester's most worthy causes.

For more information about St Richard's or fundraising events, call the fundraising team on 01905 763963 or visit www.strichards.org.uk