St Ann's Hospice warn of closure danger if they can't raise £2m for new centre

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A vital hospice could be forced to close services if it is not able to raise £2 million in order to build a new centre bosses say.

St Ann's Hospice, which cares for people with life-limiting illnesses, say their current building in Stockport is "no longer fit for purpose." They have drawn up ambitious plans to build a new purpose-built modern facility on land adjacent to the current site in Heald Green, which would become the leading facility for end of life care in the UK. READ MORE: "It means a great deal": Sarah Lester appointed as editor of the Manchester Evening News They have already raised the vast majority of the 21.5 million needed for the project.

However, there is a shortfall of 2million needed to get it off the ground. They have now launched a public fundraising appeal where they asking people in Greater Manchester to help them raise the cash so work can begin later this year.

And the hospice's boss says the current building, which is 150 years old and has small rooms, limited natural light and narrow corridors, is so outdated they could have to begin closing services if they aren't able to push on and secure the new facility. "We’re proud that we provide world-class hospice care from right here in this amazing city, and as the needs of patients change, we need to evolve too to make sure we can continue to give them the truly personalised care that they deserve" Rachel McMillan, the hospice’s chief executive, said. “We simply can’t continue to care for local people in our current building.