St Giles Hospice patients will be able to travel in comfort thanks to a new set of wheels.

Volunteers from Tamworth & District Friends of St Giles have raised £16,000 towards the cost of a new ambulance to transport patients to and from the St Giles’ facilities in Whittington and Sutton Coldfield.

This new Renault mini bus will enable the hospice to transport even more wheelchair dependent patients. As with the vehicles currently in service it will be driven by a team of 18 indispensable volunteers.

Peter Stinton, Chairman of Tamworth & District Friends says: “I am constantly amazed by the generosity of the people of Tamworth which has been demonstrated once again by their support for our fundraising efforts.

“They fully understand the essential care carried out by St Giles and the need for funds to support the hospice’s work in the local community.”

Peter Holliday, Chief Executive of St Giles, explains: “We have patients coming from all across the catchment area and getting to the hospice can sometimes be difficult.

“Thanks to the support of Tamworth & District Friends of St Giles, this vehicle means that we can help more local people who need our support.”

For information on raising money for the hospice or on volunteering please call 01543 432031.

St Giles Hospice spends over £5million every year providing its specialist services, as well as supporting families and carers. With just a third of this funded by the Government, the registered charity relies heavily on donations and fundraising – including proceeds from the St Giles Hospice Lottery and the hospice’s network of 14 charity shops.

Patients come from across the hospice’s catchment area, which ranges from Ashby de la Zouch and Atherstone in the east, to Cannock and Walsall in the west – and from Burton and Uttoxeter in the north, to Sutton Coldfield and Coleshill in the south.

Care is offered at the hospice's facilities in Sutton Coldfield and Whittington between Lichfield and Tamworth, or in patients' own homes across the region.