Appeal to build new £12.5m hospice goes over £5m mark

Having spent a year in his role as CEO of the Priscilla Bacon Hospice appeal, Mark Nicholas reflects on 2019 and the campaign to build the new hospice for Norfolk.

“We have had a fantastic response to our campaign since the public launch of the appeal in February 2019. We certainly feel that the county is getting behind our rallying call of ‘Norfolk Needs You’, as we have ended the year with a total of over £5 million raised.”

The Priscilla Bacon Hospice charity has been created to raise £12.5 million to build a new hospice with 24 inpatient beds, replacing Priscilla Bacon Lodge. The new hospice will be built on land adjacent to the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital and will provide improved day care and outpatients’ facilities, as well as a coordination centre for the ‘Hospice at Home’ team, who deliver end-of-life care in the community. It will also be a platform for education and research into palliative and end-of-life care.

“The campaign is being supported by all sections of the community; whether it is the pennies and pounds dropped into our collection tins spread around the county, or the events which individuals and groups are organising to raise funds for our appeal. Nearly £140,000 has been raised from these community activities. This indicates the level of respect for the existing Lodge and the care that it has provided over the last 40 years. Our county recognises that the new hospice, providing specialist end-of-life care, is crucial.”

Businesses large and small are also backing the appeal, ranging from a £20,000 donation from Birketts Solicitors, to numerous others who are providing pro-bono services. Other firms are encouraging their staff to take part in fundraising events, or become volunteers assisting the Fundraising Team with Priscilla Bacon Hospice events.

Mark Nicholas concluded “To achieve our goal of breaking ground in 2021, we need to accelerate momentum through 2020 so that we can resolve the pressing need for improved end-of-life care in Norfolk. The support we have enjoyed so far makes me confident that building in 2021 is entirely possible. This is an amazing project for an amazing county!”