BURY Hospice Association's annual general meeting was a particularly poignant occasion as it marked the first meeting since the sudden death of chairman Colin Caffrey in January.

In his report, acting chairman Mr Malcolm Gray paid tribute to the man who had been chairman of the association since its inception in 1983.

He said: "Colin's legacy is surely a positive one, to ensure that the care of the terminally-ill by Bury Hospice continues."

He revealed that £15,308, both in personal donations and from the private appeal launched by the association president had been received by the hospice, in Dumers Lane, Radcliffe, in memory of Mr Caffrey.

This will be used to maintain or develop the hospice service in Bury and, when an appropriate opportunity arises, to provide something in Mr Caffrey's memory.

In February of last year, the hospice was looking forward to a healthier financial future since the Health Secretary had said that every penny hospice bosses raised would be matched by the NHS by 2004.

Mr Gray said the hospice was right to be "somewhat sceptical" as very little of that money seemed to have reached hospices so far and and an investigation has been set up to find where it is going.

Last year saw a fund-raising manager and a part-time shop manager being appointed.

Negotiations are also underway to secure premises in Ramsbottom for a second charity shop and a small warehouse/distribution depot in Holcombe Brook.

The latter has recently come into operation and the Ramsbottom shop is now being prepared for opening, hopefully in time for pre-Christmas sales.

Mr Gray added: "A small second-hand van was purchased early this year for general use and to help the collection and transfer of clothes and goods for sale.

"It has enabled our intake of goods to be increased and the process of collection through to sale to be more efficient."

The Red Rose Lottery continues to be a major source of income to the hospice's running costs and this year has seen the introduction of single sale tickets at certain locations and a stand at Fairfield Hospital to sell tickets.

On another positive note, Mr Gray said that in the course of the last year the final payment was made for the alterations and extensions to the hospice.

In the last year, also, the transfer of the Title of all hospice property to the association was completed.

Reflecting on the year in general, Mr Gray said: "It was mainly a year of consolidation and the association continued to support activity at a similar level to the previous year.

"I take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the senior nurse and all staff, paid and voluntary, at the hospice, for their various contributions to the care of those who need our service."

He paid particular thanks to the valued volunteers who he referred to as "the lifeblood" of the hospice.

Mr Gray said: "We are in a period of cultural change in Bury Hospice Association because of its age, its composition, its size in relation to its objects and in response to outside influences.

"These are demanding changes and one manifestation is the increase in the number of staff and, at the same time, the need for more volunteers.

"The 'family' grows and changes, but we are all part of the band of workers who never cease to amaze me by their dedication, some week in week out, to the hospice cause."

He concluded: "My sincere thanks to all who work for, help and support Bury Hospice."

Bury Hospice has appointed Michael Garrity OBE as its new chairman.

Mr Garrity is employed as a senior lecturer at the University of Salford where he is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Care. He is a nurse by profession and has worked for the last 20 years in nursing education.

He lives with his wife, Erica, in Higher Ainsworth Road, Radcliffe. He has four children and two grandchildren.

Before moving to the area he lived in Torquay for five years where he first became involved in hospice activity, supporting the education of staff and the opening of Rowcroft Hospice. He has been a Trustee of Bury Hospice for three years and currently chairs the clinical committee.

"Palliative care and treatment has come a long way in a comparatively short period of time and yet there is still more to do. Everyone has the right to die in peace and dignity," said Mr Garrity, who was awarded the OBE in 2000 for services to nursing education.

"It is the mission of Bury Hospice to deliver on this philosophy and to work with other health care providers for the benefit of the people of Bury."

As chairman he will continue and build upon the sterling work of the late Colin Caffrey and looks forward to working with staff, volunteers and the many people of Bury whose generosity has made this work possible.