A CHARITY is marking its 20th year by launching an anniversary campaign. St Clare Hospice, which has a shop branch in Saffron Walden, is aiming to raise awareness of the hospice services and encourage people to help raise much-needed funds. It costs more

A CHARITY is marking its 20th year by launching an anniversary campaign.

St Clare Hospice, which has a shop branch in Saffron Walden, is aiming to raise awareness of the hospice services and encourage people to help raise much-needed funds. It costs more than �6000 a day to provide hospice care, with 70 per cent coming from voluntary sources raised in the community.

Director of fundraising, Sue Upton, said: "2010 will be a year of celebration, an opportunity to recognise the achievements of the last 20 years and a year to further develop our services.

"We need the local community to get behind us to raise much needed funds for the hospice. Please look out for the many events and activities throughout the year, call 01279 773750 for our fundraising brochure packed full of ideas and advice or visit www.stclarehospice.org.uk for more information about supporting the hospice in 2010. We would love to hear from you."

The idea behind the hospice emerged in 1987 when Jo Brennan, a member of the local health authority, joined with councillors, healthcare professionals and business owners to investigate the need for provision of a specialist care service for those with terminal illness in the area. St Clare Hospice was registered with the Charity Commission on April 12, 1990.

Since then, the hospice has opened day hospices across the area, including Stansted Day Centre and Myddleton Place in Saffron Walden, and centralised its operations to its base at Stone Barton, Hastingwood.

Services have continued to grow and a patient who has cancer or another life-limiting illness may be admitted to the tranquil and beautiful in-patient unit for 24 hour specialist care, or may benefit from day therapy, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and complementary therapies. Other services include free equipment loan, a 24 hour helpline and family support services.

In its 20th anniversary year, St Clare Hospice wants to expand its services even further and begin 'hospice at home' services for local people, ensuring that each person can choose the care that best suits their needs.