Helping the sick stay at home

Letting people die in the security of their own home was the aim of an appeal launched last week.

The Hospice at Home appeal was launched on Friday by the former High Sheriff of Berkshire - Lady Catherine Stevenson.

It aims to pay for three registered nurses to provide the specialist care to enable terminally ill people to stay in their familiar surroundings.

The new appeal aims to raise £315,000 and an anonymous benefactor has come forward offering to match pound for pound money raised up to the value of £150,000.

At the appeal launch held at Windsor's hospice in Hatch Lane on Friday director of fundraising Sue Lindsey said: "This is a truly wonderful gift. It means the vision that we have, to help more people die in their own home where they feel safe and less anxious is closer to becoming a reality."

Lady Stevenson who is patron of the appeal, said: "Thanks to medical advances over the last few decades, people are living longer with terminal illnesses. But this presents us with a new challenge - ensuring there are resources to support people effectively during this time."

To donate visit www.thameshospicecare.org.uk or call 01753 842121.