MORE than 100 supporters and volunteers of East Coast Hospice celebrated four years of working together as a team to raise funds to build a hospice for the people of Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

A buffet lunch was held at The Hotel Victoria in Lowestoft, where Margaret Chadd shared her experience of working in some of the first hospices in the country. She outlined the history of hospices and the invaluable service they give to patients and their families and friends.

David Nettleship, the company secretary, told the guests that after looking at seven possible sites the decision has been made to purchase a 5.5-acre site on Sidegate Road, Gorleston.

This site is ideal for the development of the hospice in a greenfield location. The close proximity of the site to James Paget University Hospital and the A12 will make this an ideal location to serve the local community.

Negotiations are well under way to sign the contract with the land-owners to purchase the site once planning permission has been granted.

Henry Kelf, the retained architect on the project, described how he was now taking his concept drawings and applying them to the Sidegate Road site. He said he was thrilled to be commissioned to undertake this exciting and worthwhile project and was working hard with the planners to provide this essential facility.

Andrew Davis has the task of masterminding the fundraising events and of visiting prospective donors to raise the �3.5m, which will be required to complete the project.

Corinne Bryant co-ordinates the friends of the hospice and encouraged everyone who was able to do their part in helping to raise funds. Corinne described a number of events that had already taken place and thanked those present who had given up so much of their time to support the charity.

The chairman of the hospice, James Reeder, explained how the aims of the charity differed from those of Palliative Care East, which has just announced it now has the go-ahead to build the resource centre on a site at the James Paget University Hospital.

East Coast Hospice is the only local charity to actually build an in-patient hospice which will provide a missing key element in the end of life care for those in our community.

The hospice will be at the leading edge of innovation and design. Creatively conceived, the building and its landscaped gardens will inspire hospitality, care and wellbeing. The focus will be to help people live well for whatever time is left.

The charity will be able to help deal with specific problems such as pain and nausea and offer respite care to give families a break, all within a supportive environment. The charity recognises that an acute hospital is not the place to die and, in many instances, it may not be possible for the family to care for their loved ones as they would wish.

Mr Reeder thanked everyone for their support.

l For further information, including becoming a volunteer fundraiser, visit www.eastcoasthospice.co.uk