Hospice rises like a Phoenix......

The reception, held on September 23, gave Hastings and Rye MP Amber the opportunity to see the refurbishment carried out at the hospice after a fire caused extensive damage last year.

St Michael’s hospice president, Julian Avery, who led the aptly named £1m Phoenix Appeal launched earlier this year, said the reception was held to thank the appeal committee and some of the generous donors for contributions to the appeal.“This was a great opportunity to thank those who have contributed so much to the success of the Phoenix Appeal, and to show one of our MPs and other local supporters all that has been achieved in the relatively short time since last July’s awful fire,” he said. “We were pleased that the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd MP, found time in her very busy diary to visit the hospice and to show her the newly refurbished in-patient areas, the Day Services Centre and St Augustine’s Chapel.”

Ms Rudd said it was a huge pleasure to see round the newly refurbished hospice, adding: “After the fire last year, it is remarkable that the hospice has managed to re-open so quickly and with so many improved facilities and rooms. This is in no small way thanks to the substantial generosity of many donors. Congratulations to everyone who has made this possible. We are fortunate to have such a fabulous, well run and indeed much-loved hospice serving the communities of Hastings and Rother.”