THE project to build a hospice in Winchester has raised £23,000 since it launched its latest fundraising mission.

But in a pledge to raise £500,000 those behind the Big Push fundraising appeal said that they can’t stop there.

It comes as work has begun on the £3.7million Winchester Hospice, however Hampshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) and the Winchester Hospice Fundraising Charity need more funds to pay for the entire build.

Dr Lara Alloway, chief medical officer at HHFT and palliative care consultant, speaking before the lockdown, said; “It’s been overwhelming to see how everyone has got behind the Big Push fundraising appeal in such a short time. I am really pleased to say that we have raised an additional £23,000 in a matter of weeks, thanks to the generosity of local community. But we can’t stop there! We need to raise 500,000 to fund the building work which will transform Burrell House into Winchester Hospice, supporting patients with long term conditions or at the end of their lives.

“Each donation will make a huge difference for years to come, and we are urging everyone to get behind us and support this last big push so that we can get over the final hurdle and focus on building the best possible hospice for the people of Winchester.”

It will care for patients with long-term conditions or who are at the end of their lives, inpatient care for up to 10 patients, as well as outpatient and community services.

Speaking at the launch of the Big Push, Nick Vaughan, chair of the fundraising charity’s board of trustees, said: “The trustees of the charity have been overwhelmed by the level of support we have received to date which has been truly inspiring.

“But opening the doors of Burrell House does not end the journey. Financially we are not quite there yet we still have over £500,000 to raise to cover the building and equipment costs and our remit insists that we will continue to support the hospice as it becomes a beacon of hope to these in need of its services.”

To find out more and how to get involved, go to winchesterhospice.com.