More than 100 people paraded through Chester yesterday, Thursday, April 28, to launch an appeal for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.
The aim of the From Silver to Gold Appeal is to raise the remaining £460,000 of the £2.2 million required for a new build at the Backford site that will double the size of the existing building.
It is hoped the new build will open before the end of this year.
The parade of people, including volunteers, staff, children from Eaton Primary School, Chester town crier David Mitchell and businesses such as M&S Bank, NatWest and MBNA, demonstrated their support for the hospice.
It started at Chester Town Hall, then proceeded down St Werburgh’s Street and Eastgate Street celebrating the past 25 years and looking forward to the next 25 years.
Invited guests then celebrated the launch of the appeal with refreshments in the town hall where the Kelsborrow choir performed ahead of their diamond celebration with Roberts Bakery Band at Chester Cathedral on May 7.
Eilish Trow from Ellesmere Port lost her beloved sister Bridie to lung cancer seven years ago only a year after the loss of her mum to cancer.
She said: “Bridie was my best friend and even though there was a 20-year age gap between us, she always looked out for me. One incident I particularly remember was when I had missed the bus to go to an interview; she paid for a taxi even though she had three children of her own to support. I was 16-years old and I got that job! We shared lots of happy memories for which I am grateful, but they will never be enough to fill the great void her loss has left in my life.”
She added: “During this time the chapel at the hospice was a great comfort to me, especially as I could go whenever I wanted and also enjoy the beauty of the garden where we had a rose planted in memory of Bridie and my mum. I am grateful for the love and support I received from the hospice at a very difficult time. This has given me the impetus to support the hospice so that the service they give can continue towards other families who need their kindness.”
Chief executive of the hospice Steve Hoy thanked everybody for their dedication and commitment.
He said: “Without the passion, commitment and hard work of our local community and businesses over the past 25 years the hospice would not have been able to support the thousands of local people it has.
“The new building will be attached to the present hospice building and will allow us to extend and accommodate all our day therapy activities, including a new café and physiotherapy room. We are appealing to the local community to support us and to help us grow your local hospice.”
To support the Hospice of the Good Shepherd From Silver to Gold Appeal visit www.hospicegs.com.
