The Prime Minister Theresa May paid a very special visit to Thames Hospice on Friday 13 October 2017 to hear progress on the Hospice’s expansion plans.
Mrs May’s visit was particularly timely, as it coincided with Hospice Care Week. Run by Hospice UK, the umbrella charity for hospices in the UK, the week is designed to help change people’s perception of hospice care. During her visit, Mrs May spent time meeting staff, volunteers, patients and their families to hear about the care they receive at the Hospice.
Among the patients and families met by the Prime Minister were Allan and daughter Jenny, from South Buckinghamshire. Allan is currently receiving care on Thames Hospice’s Inpatient Unit and was delighted to meet Mrs May, particularly as it was his birthday. Allan even got Mrs May to sign his Watford football shirt! Carol Ellis, who is currently accessing Thames Hospice’s Day Therapy Services and is an Ambassador for the charity, also got to chat with the Prime Minister.
Commenting on the Prime Minister’s visit, Debbie Raven, Chief Executive at Thames Hospice, said: “2017 has been an incredible year for us. We celebrated our 30th year and were delighted to receive planning permission in July to build a new Hospice for our community. We were absolutely thrilled and honoured to welcome the Prime Minister to our Hospice on Friday.
“The visit was a wonderful way to highlight the outstanding care we provide in our local community, helping to support patients and their families at a very difficult time.”
During the visit, Debbie Raven and Martin Jervis, Chair of Trustees at Thames Hospice, took the opportunity to share initial plans of the new, state-of-the-art hospice, which will be built in Mrs May’s constituency by Bray Lake, in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
Prime Minister Theresa May said: “It was a pleasure to meet the residents at Thames Hospice and also the staff who do an outstanding job, not just in looking after those in their care, but also their families and loved ones. Thames Hospice is a fantastic local charity and I look forward to there being a new hospice at Bray Lake in my own constituency.”
Find out how you can support us, volunteer or access our services at www.thameshospice.org.uk
As well as working on plans for the new build, the charity continues to put on a full schedule of fundraising events - the next being the Santa Dash. In its 10th year, the annual fun run through Swinley Forest, in Bracknell, takes places on Sunday 26 November from 10am. Registration is open at www.thameshospice.org.uk/santadash