BUILDING work on a new multi-million pound extension and alterations to a hospice is to begin shortly. In 12 months the Comet has helped its charity of the year, the Garden House Hospice in Gillison Close, Letchworth GC, to raise £51,000 towards the costs

BUILDING work on a new multi-million pound extension and alterations to a hospice is to begin shortly.

In 12 months the Comet has helped its charity of the year, the Garden House Hospice in Gillison Close, Letchworth GC, to raise £51,000 towards the costs of its expansion and alterations.

It is hoped the hospice appeal will help raise £100,000 in two years to assist the funding of the first phase of development of the essential £3.2million project.

This phase will include a new day hospice, a purpose-built educational centre and improved out-patient facilities.

Although no definite date has been given for work to start, it is expected to begin soon.

Trudy Bunday, the hospice matron, said the new facilities will allow the hospice to offer a more comprehensive service to patients as well as their carers.

She said: "Our philosophy is to look at the whole picture, which includes the families and friends of the patients.

"We want to raise carers' awareness of their own needs which are often neglected in the patient's journey.

"Our day hospice room is the same as it was when we opened 16 years ago. It needs upgrading and extending so that we can offer a wider service to more people."

At the moment day hospice facilities are available to patients three days a week between 10am and 3.15pm.

On each Thursday there is an informal drop-in session where people can visit the hospice and talk to staff about the range of services that the hospice offers.

It is hoped that the new building will allow the hospice to extend these services offered.

Mrs Bunday said: "The drop-in day is about letting people know what the hospice is all about and what's on offer. It's about people making choices.

"The new building will allow us to extend the drop-in session so that people have a better opportunity to come and meet the team and find out more about us.