St Giles Hospice has launched its most ambitious development project ever, aiming to raise a massive £4million to build a new state of the art In-Patient Unit that will significantly extend its specialist care.

The charity is seeking partnerships from companies and grant making charitable trusts to raise the sum – around half the total cost of the project.

The exciting plans will see the hospice’s current 18-bed In-Patient Unit replaced with a new facility accommodating 27 beds, as well as delivering individual en-suite rooms, more space for medical equipment, and enhanced facilities for relatives.

Capital Appeal Director, Laura Pennycuick, explains: “The In-Patient Unit provides care at a critical time in patients lives, often delivering the specialist care for which St Giles is renowned in the final days of their lives.

“Since St Giles opened in 1983 life expectancy has increased by five years, meaning more people are coming to us with chronic illness and complex end of life conditions.

“The new IPU facility is part of the long-term strategic plan to develop the hospice and further improve facilities and the high standards that patients and their families now expect.

“We will also be able to offer overnight accommodation for relatives.

“There has been extensive consideration of environmental issues and the facility will include a ‘green roof’ covered with slow growing vegetation. The rural landscape setting is important to patients and visitors, and making the unit work with the surrounding landscape was an important element in the design.

“Through successful fundraising diligent management of reserves we have already been able to save half of the total cost of the unit, which amounts to over £8million.

“We are now seeking to raise a further £4 million from companies and grant making charitable trusts, and with their generous support we hope to begin building next year.“

People can view the plans for the unit at an Open Day being held at St Giles Hospice in Whittington on Saturday 6th October from 10.30am – 3.30pm.

The event coincides with World Hospice Day and is an opportunity for visitors to meet staff and trustees from St Giles, and to find out more about the hospice as a whole. Light refreshments will be available.

Anyone who would like more information on the appeal – or those who feel they know a company or trust which may be interested in supporting the project – can contact Laura Pennycuick on 0121 378 6295, or send her an email by clicking here.

Please click here to download a brochure on the Capital Appeal.

Please click here to see images from the Capital Appeal Launch.