IT'S been 10 years since the dream of so many was born.

And Wrexham's Nightingale House Hospice has been providing an invaluable service to those with terminal illnesses for a decade.

But as well as the doctors and nurses who provide the vital services on the wards, there are also those behind the scenes who keep the facility running for people in desperate need of the service.

Without the fundraising and promotions staff, the hospice would not be able to generate the millions of pounds it needs to provide its essential care.

And now, after almost 10 years of service, the man behind the financial side of the hospice has decided it is time to move on.

But he believes he has left the hospice in a strong position and ready to face the future.

Brian Chaloner joined the team more than nine years ago.

The 48-year-old father of two says he is proud of his achievements but feels the time is right for a fresh challenge.

He says the highlight of his career was seeing his lottery scheme generate more than £2m.

He told the Mail: 'I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Nightingale House and it has been such a rewarding experience for me. The people have been really lovely but I feel it is now time for a fresh challenge.'

Brian began his career at the hospice as the lottery manager before moving into the role of fundraising and promotions manager.

'It was a natural progression,' explained Brian, who left his role as a sales manager with British Gas in 1995 after 19 years with the company.

'A lot of the work was in marketing and I had worked in customer service, too. I knew I enjoyed working with people and I was a good communicator so when I saw the job for Nightingale House I knew it would suit me down to the ground.

'The role of fundraising and promotions manager is very much a varied one,' said Brian.

Brian has been responsible for overseeing the hospice's three charity shops - which are based in Brook Street, Wrexham, Cefn Mawr and Connah's Quay.

'Unfortunately, the Connah's Quay shop is going to be closing soon but we have a new one opening in Rhos in March,' said Brian.

'It's sad we are having to close the Quay shop - the volunteers have worked extremely hard and well and we are very thankful to them for that.'

Merchandise, Christmas cards and the thriving recycling schemes were also under Brian's control.

'The mobile phone and ink cartridge schemes are proving very successful and the good thing about the scheme, like the lottery, is that it's on-going, sustainable income, which we need to secure the future of the hospice,' said Brian.

'When I first came to Nightingale House we knew we faced an uphill challenge. But I would like to think that now we have put into place a lot of money-generating schemes, which will remain in place to keep a steady flow of money coming in, things have got better.

'It's a combination of all these factors - the sustainable income, the charity shops and all the fantastic work the fundraisers do which keeps us going.'

Brian, a former student of Yale College, was brought up in Pentre Broughton. He now lives in Garden Village with his wife Teresa.

He went on to say: 'I am leaving behind a good strong team and a more professional outfit than we were 10 years ago. Then, we were working with next to nothing and it just goes to show what you can achieve when you work together.'

Brian, who begins his new post working with Wrexham Council's economic development department next week, said: 'I have mixed feelings about leaving. I am very sad but at the same time I am looking forward to a new challenge.

'I will still support the hospice once I have finished working there. It is an essential service for the people of Wrexham, and a charity very close to my heart.

'I would urge the people of Wrexham to support it as much as possible.'