Hospice to mark 40th anniversary at cathedral

St Richard's Hospice offers specialist care and support to patients and families in Worcestershire

A hospice which cares for adults with progressive illnesses and complex needs is marking its 40th anniversary this year with a cathedral celebration.

St Richard's Hospice, based in Worcester, Worcestershire, offers specialist care and support to patients, families and those who have been bereaved.

It will mark 40 years of care with a service of celebration and thanksgiving open to the public at Worcester Cathedral on 1 May from 19:00 BST.

The hospice has received more than 73,000 referrals since it first opened in Droitwich in the home of one of its founders, Dr Jenny Bulman, in 1984.

The hospice later moved to a house in Worcester and was officially opened by Princess Diana in 1992

St Richard's then moved to a house on Rose Hill, Worcester and was officially opened by Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1992.

It later opened a community centre and its first charity shop, with 17 shops now based across the county.

The current premises, on Wildwood Drive, opened in 2006.

The charity said it supported more than 3,100 patients each year and had 256 staff and 790 volunteers.

Everyone was invited to join the anniversary service at Worcester Cathedral, a hospice spokesperson added.

Chief executive Mike Wilkerson said the hospice had the "most incredible and dedicated" team of staff and volunteers who had worked "tirelessly" to make care possible.

”We cannot thank our supporters enough for everything they do for St Richard’s, it’s only with their involvement and generosity that we can make a difference to so many people," he said.

“We know life does not stand still and St Richard’s cannot stand still.

"We embrace the future and look forward to caring for life, together, for many more decades.”