KILBRYDE Hospice chief’s have today (Friday) paid tribute to the “extraordinary hard-work, dedication and support” of volunteers and local businesses over the past ten years, as they unveiled ambitious plans for a £3m new-build hospice in the grounds of Hairmyres Hospital.  

The plans for the ten-bed facility, which is due to open in 2014 and features a drop-in day hospice as well as the in-patient facility, were showcased to supporters, local volunteers and the business community at a special event in East Kilbride today.  

The Hospice’s chairman, Dennis Gallagher, said “It really is down to the hard work of volunteers and the support we receive from many local businesses that we are now at the stage to proceed with the build of our new hospice. It is exciting to think that we are now on our way to providing local palliative care services in this area, working with, and enhancing where we can, the services already provided by others.”  

And the hospice’s plans received the backing of leading Scottish entrepreneur and honorary president Jim McColl OBE. Mr McColl, who has donated over £200,000 of his own money to the charity, said “ It is a delight to see Kilbryde Hospice at the stage to start the build of a new hospice resource for Lanarkshire. This is a project I am proud to support, one that really will make a difference to people at the most difficult time in their lives.”  

Ken Corsar, chairman of NHS Lanarkshire, added “These plans mark an exciting milestone for the people of Lanarkshire and Kilbryde Hospice. We are delighted to be working with Kilbryde Hospice to develop services that can make a real difference to the quality of life for people facing life-threatening and life-limiting illness. The Kilbryde Day Hospice Drop-in Centre has touched many lives since opening at the Red Deer Centre in 2008. It is great to see progress being made towards the next stage of development - creating a new hospice at Hairmyres Hospital.”  

With the build costs estimated at around £3m, Kilbryde Hospice has also issued a rallying call to supporters to help raise the additional £500,000 needed to complete the build. Donna Hegarty, Business Development Manager with the hospice explained “We really do need the support of the Lanarkshire community now more than ever to complete the build and furnish the hospice to allow us to introduce more free hospice care services. There are many ways to get involved, from volunteering with us, to regular giving by direct debit, to local businesses donating their services or products, or supporting our events. Please do get in touch if you think you can help.”