A HOSPICE is hoping to recruit 500 supporters to raise the funds needed to complete the transformation of its building and services within the decade.

Willow Burn Hospice celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, having opened on the site of the former Maiden Law isolation hospital, near Lanchester, in December 1989.

Supporters have since raised £15m for Willow Burn, which earlier this year opened a new-look £1.4m day care hospice, offering palliative and end-of-life care.

It now hopes to raise a further £4.3m to complete its transformation by 2020.

Willow Burn’s chief officer Helen Mills said: “The generosity of the people of North West Durham and the North East has been phenomenal and helped create a vital asset to families in times of great sorrow and distress.

“As we head towards our quarter century anniversary our aim is to now finish the transformation of Willow Burn Hospice by end of the decade.”

The second phase of the scheme will see a £2.2m inpatient hospice built adjoining the day hospice, which will replace an existing building, and increase the number of beds from four to six.

The third phase includes a well-being centre offering physiotherapy, occupational therapy assisted daily living kitchens, a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, a complementary therapy room and bereavement suite.

Willow Burn hopes to persuade 500 supporters to each pledge to raise £1,000 to make the dream a reality.

Mrs Mills said: “As well as hoping to secure support from hundreds of volunteers to make a pledge to raise £1,000 there is a chance we can secure further funding from the Department of Health and we are talking to some high net-worth individuals about securing possible further support.

“When we bring all of three phases together, we will have a fantastic resource that will improve the experience for all of those living with life limiting illness, when it really counts.”

The hospice is working with the Newcastle office of management consultant Faithful and Gould on the redevelopment of the site.

Director Mike Foggon said: “The redevelopment aims to create a new hospice that blends into the rural landscape by using natural materials.

“As well as the widespread use of timber cladding the roofs will feature a combination of natural slate and grass and will be powered by photovoltaic panels and ground source heat pumps.

“This is a vital asset which has had to operate in buildings which are over 80 years old. Phase one has shown what can be achieved and we hope to be able to help support the transformation by 2020.”