Telford’s multi-million pound Severn Hospice today welcomed its first day patients as staff celebrated the latest landmark date for the comprehensive new facility.

Hospice chief executive Paul Cronin described it as a “small miracle” adding that everyone involved with the fundraising and delivery of the hospice should be immensely proud.

“Most of all this is a wonderful day for all the patients and their families who now have a marvellous facility which will serve them well into the future,” he said.
“We would just like to thank everyone who has helped to make this possible and ask them to continue to support us so we can continue to develop the services available at the Severn Hospice.”

The interior of the first phase, the day centre, was fitted last week in time to take the first patients today.

A massive campaign has helped to raise the money needed to build the £5 million centre at Apley Castle.

Today’s first patients included Caroline Goffin, from Dawley, who has terminal cancer. She said the new hospice building was wonderful, adding that it had been a very emotional and exciting day for the group.

“It just restores your faith in human nature that all this was made possible thanks to people doing their bit to help,” she added.

The Severn Hospice Telford Appeal is near completion, with a new challenge of raising £1.3million each year to keep the hospice up and running.

To make a donation to help the hospice telephone (01952) 243109.