FOR the past 30 years Dorothy House has provided support, comfort and a better life for thousands of patients with terminal illnesses.

In the Winsley hospice's anniversary year the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News is appealing to readers to continue showing their support by adopting Dorothy House as their chosen charity.

The hospice receives just 40 per cent of its funding from the NHS which means it relies on fundraising to raise the £6,000 a day it needs to continue its services, which are provided free of charge to patients. Dorothy House charity shops provide in the region of £500,000 a year while fundraising brings in another £1m.

Katrina Sudbury, director of fundraising, said it was the generous donations from the local community that kept the hospice going and allowed carers to make sure Dorothy House remained a positive place. She said: "Very simply it's about making the most of the time people have left. The idea is to let patients live as normal lives as possible. People may expect Dorothy House to be dark and full of gloom but it's not. It's a place full of laughter."

She said as the hospice celebrates its 30th birthday on June 15 the principles behind the hospice remained the same. "Fundamentally it hasn't changed, it's about nursing care and looking after the whole family," she said.

"The treatment may have changed over time but the ethos of Dorothy House remains the same."

Patients are referred to the hospice by GPs or specialists if they are suffering from a life threatening illness. About 90 per cent of the patients suffer from cancer but the hospice also helps those with other illnesses including motor neurone disease and multi systems atrophy a disease which attacks the body's nervous system.

The hospice has a small inpatients unit with beds for eight patients. Most arrive for respite care or pain control and stay for up to 10 days.

But it is the day care service at Dorothy House which provides the majority of support for those with terminal illnesses. Each day 11 patients meet for several hours where they can chat and take part in creative and therapeutic activities.

Ms Sudbury said: "You really see a difference in people when they leave. Sometimes it's about getting out of the house and making friends. People often say they never expected to make new friendships at their age. We have time to talk to the patients and they can talk in depth about what is worrying them."

Patients' families are also supported by the hospice and a bereavement service is offered, including Backchat, which is aimed specifically at teenagers. There is also a home hospice service where nurses provide up to 24 hours of care in the home.

The hospice is currently undergoing a multi-million-pound extension to improve the service it provides. A new education centre is planned with better provision for bereavement counselling as well as a larger and lighter day care centre.

The work has been funded from a private appeal involving charitable trusts and major donors.

  • To give a regular donation contact (01225) 721480 or email susan.Kenny@dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk or send individual donations to Dorothy House Hospice Care, Winsley, Bradford on Avon, BA15 2LE. l Appeal update next week