Published on: 12.10.22
Winchester Hospice celebrates one year since opening by inviting community to wear purple
On Friday 14 October, Winchester Hospice will celebrate its first birthday and mark the occasion by inviting the community to ‘Go Purple’.
The milestone marks a year since the hospice opened its doors back in September 2021, following more than five years of planning and a fundraising effort that raised £4.4 million.
To celebrate, Winchester Hospice are encouraging members of the local community to ‘Go Purple’ through wearing the colour and making a £1 donation to its charity online.
In their first year, the hospice team cared for over 300 inpatients and provide bereavement support, community services and therapies as well as other means of care to those who need it in Winchester and surrounding villages.
The date coincides with the end of this year’s Hospice Care Week, which they are also celebrating through a number of events, including opening their award-winning garden for the public to explore on Sunday 16 October.
Winchester Hospice needs thousands of pounds to be raised each year to continue delivering the outstanding care to patients and their families.
Dr Lara Alloway, trustee at Winchester Hospice and chief medical officer for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, says: “I am very proud of what our teams have achieved in the past year, opening the hospice and all its services, building a great team of staff and re-homing the beautiful Psalm 23 Garden which now lives in our grounds for patients and families to enjoy.
“We are so grateful for the incredible support the hospice has received over the last few years, we couldn’t have reached this milestone without all of your help, thank you.”
Nick Vaughan, chairman of the Winchester Hospice Fundraising Charity, says: “To be celebrating one year of opening after the huge efforts of our community in getting the hospice open is just fantastic. We have come so far this year and I want to thank each and every person who has been involved in supporting the care our dedicated teams provide.
“Having an adult hospice in Winchester has been life changing for so many families this last year, and we hope to continue making a real difference for decades to come.”
To find out more about joining in Winchester Hospice’s first birthday celebrations, visit https://bit.ly/3SEKUj0.