Work has now started on the transformation of the former Lambert Memorial Hospital in Thirsk into a hospice but the huge community fundraising effort goes on.
Herriot Hospice Homecare aims to open the doors of the new hospice, on Chapel Street, this autumn, and while the charity has raised a substantial amount of money towards the project, funds are still very much needed for the appeal to succeed.
Herriot Hospice@The Lambert will feature inpatient beds, rooms for bereavement and emotional wellbeing support, and a community hub and café, and will also provide a permanent base for the charity’s existing HOME service, which cares for people living with terminal illness, and their families, in their own homes.
Yorkshire-based The Together Group has been selected as construction partner.
Herriot Hospice said thanks to the remarkable support of the communities across Thirsk, Northallerton, Bedale, Richmond and Stokesley, the project has raised more than £1.08m of the £1.7m needed.
The plaque at the the Lambert Hospital in Thirsk
A flurry of fundraising in recent weeks has seen the total raised boosted by almost £15,000. This included £5,000 from Thirsk Yarn Bombers, more than £3,800 raised by Thirsk and Northallerton Golf Club, £3,000 from Thirsk Rotary Club’s Christmas grotto at Thirsk Garden Centre, and £2,750 from Northallerton Rotary Club events. A further £2,000 came from The Bull Inn at West Tanfield, £1,550 from events at Thirsk Lodge Barns, and £600 from Thirsk Hall and Sculpture Garden.
Forthcoming community fundraising events include a sell-out bingo night organised by Thirsk Doctors’ Surgery, a concert on March 25 featuring the Dishforth Military Wives choir and a concert in April featuring the Mowbray Singers Chamber choir.
Dr Laura Longstaff, partner at Thirsk Doctors’ Surgery, said: “As a GP practice, we wanted to do our bit to fundraise to help Herriot Hospice@The Lambert to open, so we are hosting a bingo night and raffle at Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall, which has now sold out. It’s our way of saying 'welcome to the neighbourhood'.
“Having the Herriot Hospice@The Lambert and the building being part of the community once more feels like the perfect evolution.
“A service like this on our doorstep creates a ripple effect across the community – to have our own specialist hospice care services in Thirsk is amazing."
Herriot Hospice Homecare chief executive Tony Collins added: “We want to thank everyone for their continued passion, dedication and belief in Herriot Hospice@The Lambert, which means so much to our community, and us.
Tony Collins, chief executive of Herriot Hospice Homecare, outside the Lambert Hospital
“We are inspired by the incredible people, organisations and groups who have backed the project so far, including the remarkable support of partners Lambert League of Friends and Hambleton District Council.
“Our heartfelt thanks go to each and every person who has made an invaluable contribution to the project so far."
For more information see www.herriothh.org.uk/thelambert.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here