BUILDING SUPPORT: Stuart Russell, Phil Knee and Penny Bird at the launch of Buy a Brick for the hospice
The Hospice of St Francis is urging people to support its new campaign - simply by buying bricks.
The Gazette is today launching The Big Brick Buy, the latest phase in the hospice's campaign to raise the £2.5 million to complete the construction of a brand new purpose built facility.
Penny Bird, trust and corporate development manager at the hospice said: "The Gazette community has been absolutely fabulous with the Dig Deep campaign. We have reached the £250,000 mark, which is one in-patient unit so it has been going really well.
"However the reality is we have still got a long way to go to complete the building. We need to reach £2.5 million and then we still need to run the hospice."
The hospice cares for people across the whole of Dacorum and as far away as the Chalfonts and St Albans.
It has outgrown its current home on Shrublands Road, Berkhamsted and The Gazette has thrown its weight behind the campaign to help it raise money for the new premises.
The Big Brick Buy allows people to help buy a brick or two for the new hospice building and help make a difference.
Penny added: "To put it into context, 1,000 bricks would be the number of bricks for one single bedroom, therapy building or the chapel and 6,000 bricks would be enough for the day hospice.
"£5 buys a brick, that's just a couple of drinks or a sandwich, and we can help make sure the hospice continues to provide care for years to come. One brick will make a difference."
Everyone who buys a brick will have their name in a book of recognition which will be housed in the new hospice building on Shootersway in Berkhamsted.
Penny said: "We want everyone to be recognised for their contribution because it is their hospice. We want companies, groups and individuals to get involved. You can buy as many bricks as you like."
The hospice hope to raise another £300,000 towards its target through selling the bricks.
Penny said: "We need people to buy these bricks so we can continue to help people.
"At the moment, with the current hospice being so small we are having to turn people away and that's not acceptable. We can do it if we do it collectively."
The hospice is also encouraging people to organise 'brick-buying' events and get their friends and families involved.
To buy bricks and support the campaign, simply fill in the form on this page.
Call the Hospice of St Francis on 01442 869550 for fundraising ideas.
SOUL MAN: DJ Tony Blackburn giving a helping hand to Ros Taylor, medical director of the Hospice of S Francis.
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