1:17pm Thursday 2nd July 2009
By Ali Dent
A CHARITY for terminally ill adults in the Bristol and South Gloucestershire area has announced plans to close one of its two hospices.
St Peter’s Hospice, which many groups and clubs in Yate and Thornbury raise money for, will close its Knowle hospice as a direct result of the recession.
The charity, which is celebrating its 30th year during 2009, is facing a £500,000 shortfall in revenue from the region’s shops and has decided to close one hospice to concentrate on funding community nurses and its other site in Brentry.
Chief executive Sandie Foxall-Smith said the Knowle hospice was a dilapidated building which would cost £100,000 to repair.
She added: "We understand the immense role that this hospice has played in the life of the Bristol community and thousands of local families over the past 30 years. However, with our legacy and investment income significantly reduced, we are being forced to take this tremendously difficult decision.
"We will continue in the future to provide the same high quality palliative care to the people of Bristol. We will work with the Bristol community and health bodies to ensure we, as an organisation, have a vital role to play in the future delivery of end of life care."
St Peter’s Hospice, which has a fundraising support group in Yate and Chipping Sodbury as well as four charity shops across the two towns, predominantly works with people in the community. Around 85 percent of patient care is given in people’s homes.
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