A HOSPICE that cares for people in South Gloucestershire welcomed a special visitor in the form of BBC newsreader Alex Lovell.


Patients and staff at St Peter's Hospice, Bristol, met Ms Lovell, who reads the news on BBC Points West, during her visit on Thursday, February 19.


Ms Lovell said: “I often hear people talking very fondly of their experiences with St Peter’s Hospice so it’s great to come and see it for myself.

 

“The doctors, nurses, staff and supporters here are very inspirational people and the spirit of the patients is undeniable.


"It's easy to associate the word hospice with sadness, and while it's a predictable and frequent visitor, the overwhelming priority at St Peter's Hospice seems to me to be quality of life - they aim to enhance it from every conceivable angle."


Head of supporter relations at St Peter’s Hospice in Brentry, John Flanagan, said: “It was wonderful to have Alex visit us and give patients a boost. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed meeting and chatting to her.


“Collectively hospices in the UK care for around 360,000 people every year and the service we provide really does change lives, providing care, dignity and compassion for people facing the end of their lives.


“It is lovely that Alex is helping us to spread the word.”


St Peter’s Hospice is a charity which supports adults with life-limiting illnesses, and cares for more than 2,670 patients each year as well as supporting family members.


It is Bristol’s only hospice and all services are provided free of charge but this care costs around £18,630 a day.


For around £14,000 of that, the hospice relies on gifts in wills, kind donations and funds generated by the hospice shops.


To find out more about St Peter’s Hospice visit www.stpetershospice.org.