Every penny counts for hospice worthy of all our support

THE news that St David's Hospice is planning to close its beds on Anglesey because of funding issues has come as a bitter blow to all those who value its exceptional end-of-life care.

- Judith Phillips

Staff at the unit must also be worried about their future employment prospects, and the issue highlights the huge difficulties hospices throughout Wales have in continuing to give their invaluable services to the community.

Around 30 years ago I was asked by a lady called Phyllis Ford to help her with her idea of founding a hospice to support people living in Conwy county who needed specialised care due to the life limiting conditions.

She invited me to join her on a visit to the Hospice of the Good Shepherd at Chester where we witnessed at first hand the calming ambience of the building, and the sympathetic holistic care given to patients.

I was hugely impressed and agreed to help Phyllis in publicising the fundraising campaign she launched.