Phyllis Tuckwell

At the start of the year, we appointed our building contractors, E W Beard, to begin the biggest development in our history, building a new Hospice for Surrey and Hampshire. They started on the groundworks, digging foundations and installing all the drainage requirements needed before construction could begin.

Once this was complete, the concrete floor was poured and the reinforced concrete frame was constructed, forming the two-storey part of building. Suddenly the new Hospice was starting to take shape

Progressing to the next stage

The bricklayers then began building the walls, and very quickly bedrooms, corridors and door frames took shape. We were able to walk around the building and get a true feeling for how all the hard work at the planning stage was paying off.

The steel framework system is now being installed around the two-storey part of the building, and the brickwork is nearly ready for the next level, when scaffolding will be required for the walls to be taken up to roof height. Meanwhile, roofing is being laid on the flat roof sections of the building, as our contractors work to get the building watertight as soon as possible. Outside the In-Patient Unit (IPU), the courtyard garden areas have been constructed and raised planters have been built.

Visiting the site, and even being able to walk into one of the IPU rooms, has been so special, and has enabled us to start seeing the building where we will provide our specialist and compassionate care for our patients and their families and carers.

Funding your new Hospice

We are continuing to work hard to raise the funds needed to complete this build. In September, we were thrilled to announce reaching a major £5 million fundraising milestone in our £6 million capital appeal target. Raising this amount of money, in addition to the £25,000 we need to raise every day to fund our ongoing care, really is a true testament to our incredible supporters, to whom we are incredibly grateful.

Thank you for your support

Building a new Hospice, and continuing to fund the care that we provide every day for our patients and their loved ones, is only possible thanks to our amazing community.

Thank you for all the support you have given us this year. Together, we are making a huge difference to the lives of local people and building a lasting legacy for many generations to come.