A BRAND new children’s hospice has its first patron – best-selling author Joanne Harris.
And the novelist – best known for her book-turned-film Chocolat – is looking forward to seeing the Forget-Me-Not Trust hospice open in Brackenhall this September.
She told the Examiner: “I am delighted to have been asked to become a patron of this very worthwhile charity, of which I have long been a supporter.
“I am very much looking forward to getting a chance to visit them and learn more about their work later this month.”
Building has finished at the site of the new hospice off Fell Greave Road.
And work has began putting up the and decorating the £2.5m building.
It is hoped the first children can be in the day centre before Christmas, with the first sleep-in patients expected in the New Year.
Sarah Herrett, head of fundraising, said: “We are really, really pleased and looking forward to welcoming Joanne Harris.
“It’s lovely that such a high profile person who is local to the area wants to be involved.
“She’s going to be visiting the hospice soon to have a look around and we’re really looking forward to working with her.
“We’ve got lots of fans of her books in the office and we’re hoping to get some of our books signed.
“And she will be able to visit the children when they are at the hospice.”
The hospice will provide respite care, 24 hour end of life care, symptom assessment and management, specialist palliative nursing care, emotional and psychological support, sibling support, parental and family support, complementary therapies and bereavement care and support.
The centre’s hydrotherapy pool will be used for relaxation and physiotherapy.
It is anticipated that the running costs of the facility will exceed £1.5 million every year.
The charity has already launched a successful Hospice at Home service and is providing care for 16 families.
For more information visit www.forgetmenottrust.co.uk
