BURY Hospice has seen another year of progress and change

In his annual report, presented to the annual general meting on Tuesday (Sept 16), chairman Mr Colin Caffrey said that from March 1996 to March 1997 the Hospice cared for 106 residential patients and 900 day care patients.

Mr Caffrey said that since the increase to three day care days a week, the Hospice had been "bursting at the seams".

But, thanks to a legacy, work will soon begin on a £200,000 extension which will provide better kitchens, food storage, dining facilities and patient treatment. The extension is expected to be completed before Christmas.

The future could also see the creation of a separate day unit.

Mr Caffrey said: "The board would like to be able to provide additional beds but unfortunately at this time we can not afford a larger extension. It is intended to eventually build a unit which will free space to provide more beds in the existing unit.

"Consideration has been given to launching a building fund but it is not feasible at this point in time. At present we are still not raising in a year more than we spend, excluding legacies."

He added: "Our first concern at present must be to ensure that we have enough money coming in to preserve and maintain the services we presently offer. Hopefully we will be able, in the none too distant future, to start a fund for building a separate day unit perhaps around the millenium."

The decision to move the Hospice shop, lottery and appeal office to The Rock, Bury, is already paying dividends. Mr Caffrey said income had improved, the lottery is growing and the new location has proved a good central point for voluntary fundraising activities.

The Red Rose Week continues to be a great success and Mr Caffrey said it made £32,000 this year thanks to the tremendous support of so many people and organisations.

But there was sadness too.

A minutes silence was observed at the beginning of Tuesday's meeting in memory of three association stalwarts.

A nursing staff review also meant farewell to Matron Catherine Peak

But hope did spring from the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales

"Since her death we have had many floral tributes and money left at, and sent to the Hospice, and for this we are very grateful," said Mr Caffrey.

"Something we do need and will always need at the Hospice is volunteers. I can not but think that there could be no greater gesture to the memory of Princess Diana than volunteering to work at the Hospice, a cause she certainly supported."

Volunteers are still needed to help raise the £350,000 needed by the Hospice each year.

Mr Caffrey stressed the importance of recruiting new volunteers, especially younger ones, and urged everyone to encourage more people to come forward.

He concluded his report by thanking staff, volunteers and everyone who helps to make the Hospice what it is.

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