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Thames Hospice today announced the launch of 'Raise the Roof', the most ambitious public fundraising appeal in the charity's 30-year history, to help raise the final £3million urgently needed to complete the build of a new state-of-the-art hospice for the community. With up to ten families a day not getting the hospice care they need, Thames Hospice desperately needs to expand the care it can provide for local families with the new hospice.
To raise awareness and the final £3 million needed to complete the new hospice, the charity will host a series of exciting roadshow events to launch Raise the Roof at a number of its flagship retail stores across Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire. The launch kicks off with a day of celebrations at the Hospices award-winning shops on Peascod Street, Windsor, on 7 September 2019 from 11am. Shoppers will have the opportunity to mingle with much-loved actress and Thames Hospice Ambassador Sue Holderness, as well as enjoy lots of entertainment and refreshments throughout the day.
The party continues throughout the week with support from star of CBBCs Tracey Beaker Dani Harmer who will host an event at the Thames Hospice Bracknell store on Wednesday 11 September at 1pm. Actor and author Tim Brooke-Taylor, who has been a dedicated supporter of Thames Hospice for many years, will launch the Hospices campaign at its Wokingham branch on Saturday 14 September at 11am.
BAFTA award-winning documentary maker, actor and author, Ross Kemp will delight crowds and show his support for the appeal at the charitys Maidenhead store on Saturday 14 September at 11am to round off this momentous week for Thames Hospice.
Debbie Raven, Thames Hospice Chief Executive, said: "We are overwhelmed by the support of our high profile guests of honour and other local dignitaries who are all helping us to spread the word about our appeal to raise the final £3 million we need to complete your new hospice.
"Please come and join us at your nearest Thames Hospice store and lets Raise the Roof together!"
Thames Hospice is one of the busiest independent hospices in the UK, but is no longer able to keep up with the increasing number of people who desperately need the charity's services. Every day the Inpatient Unit and Community Services are full and each day there will be up to ten people left at home or in a hospital bed when it is not what they want or need. The current situation will only get worse as the local population continues to grow and age. The Hospices much-loved existing building in Windsor has been added to, altered and expanded and cannot be adapted any further to meet the growing demand.
To put that right, construction started at the beginning of this year on a new £22 million state-of-the-art hospice which will provide urgent hospice care and support to even more local families now, and for generations to come. Set in eight stunning acres by Bray Lake, the new hospice will include 28 private inpatient rooms all with their own bathrooms and space for families to stay overnight. Thames Hospice will be able to double its day services provision in a dedicated Day Therapy Centre, and a brand new education centre and library which will allow the charity to support community healthcare professionals involved in end-of-life care as well as carers.
Lisa Parris-Cambridge, a patient who is currently accessing the services at Thames Hospice, said: "Thames Hospice has been there for me and my girls. They provide the care, counselling and support that make my diagnosis better to deal with.I can't imagine what life would be like for others in the same situation left without Thames Hospice's support."
Watch the video below to hear more about Lisa's story.