SUPPORT: Cllr Catherine Appleby, Dacorum mayor-to-be has named the hospice as her charity of the year.
Dacorum’s Mayor-to-be has given her backing to the Dig Deep campaign for the Hospice of St Francis.
Cllr Catherine Appleby will become the new mayor at a ceremony next week and has named the hospice her charity of the year.
She said: "I cannot think of a family in Dacorum and beyond that has never needed the support of a hospice at sometime or other, whether it be for a family member or a friend.
"I just think they do such a fantastic job and there's such a need."
Cllr Appleby also supported the hospice during her last tenure as mayor four years ago.
She said: "What they provide is peace of mind for patients and relatives and make everything so simple for you. They are so caring and hopefully, by supporting them, I can make a difference."
Cllr Appleby added that it was vital that the hospice raised the funds required to help it move to new premises.
She said: "The current building is just too small which is such a shame because I'm sure they are having to turn people away. There has to be a tremendous push this year to get this building up and running.
"I'm aware that people in Dacorum have different charities that they support and are very generous and I hope they will give to this campaign. Dacorum can really take some pride in the achievement of building these new premises and it's going to help a lot of families."
Roger Sharp, community appeals manager at the hospice said the new mayor's support was a big boost.
He said: "We're delighted that she has agreed to support us again and we are planning to work closely with her over her year as mayor."
The hospice needs to raise £2.5 million to complete the construction of a purpose built facility on the edge of Berkhamsted.
The Dig Deep campaign has so far raised £218,880 since it was launched in October last year.
Roger Sharp added: "We are pleased to see the money still coming in and always grateful to everyone who gives their backing to the Dig Deep appeal."
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