A SPECIAL event is being held to kickstart the appeal to raise £700,000 towards the transformation of a former hospital into a hospice and community hub.
Herriot Hospice Homecare is hosting the event at Thirsk Hall on Wednesday, May 25 between 5.30pm and 7.30pm and are hoping to attract as many people as possible to explain the latest situation in the transformation of the former Lambert Memorial Hospital, and recruit their help.
Known as the Herriot Hospice@The Lambert project, the aim is to create a community hub for local people living with terminal illness and bereavement, in addition to the charity’s existing and expanding hospice homecare services which provides end of life care at home. The service is developing rapidly in response to increased need.
The charity has so far raised £1m thanks to the support of community and local partners, including the Lambert League of Friends and Hambleton District Council. It is now launching a community appeal to raise the final £700,000 required to complete the project and is hosting the special event to promote the fund.
READ MORE: Herriot Hospice at the Lambert - Plans revealed for future of community hospital
Herriot Hospice Homecare chief executive Tony Collins said: “For 30 years, Herriot Hospice Homecare has provided high quality, compassionate hospice care in the place people call home across Hambleton and Richmondshire.
“Alongside this care, we recognise that many local people need specialist care at a hospice building, and for families living across remote and rural communities, access to this care can be difficult. For this reason, we and community partners are delighted to be shaping plans for Herriot Hospice@The Lambert, with the support of our remarkable community helping us to make the project’s vision a reality.
“We’d like to say a big thank you to Thirsk Hall for hosting the event in their spectacular grounds, and we’re looking forward to seeing many familiar and new faces on May 25. All are welcome to register, come along and find out more.”
To register attendance or find out more about Herriot Hospice@The Lambert, visit www.herriothh.org.uk/thelambert or call 01609 777413.
Residents in Thirsk were devastated when the Lambert Memorial Hospital, which was gifted to the community 100 years ago, was closed by South Tees NHS Trust in 2016 amid staffing problems.
Eventually Hambleton District Council bought the hospital building for £350,000 after Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt stepped in following concerns it was to be sold on the open market through the NHS. Work has been ongoing since with Herriot Hospice after a local consultation when 600 people replied mostly saying it should be used for palliative and end of life care.
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