One last push to refurbish hospice

Charlotte Spencer-Ades is 16 and has a rare form of epilepsy. She has been visiting Helen & Douglas House for respite stays with her family since April 2008.
It has received £436,000 from NHS England to future-proof the hospice, and the charity has raised £500,000 through donations made since the appeal was launched at the end of 2013. But they need a further £500,000 of the £1.5m to complete the work.
Charlotte lives in Thatcham with her mum Sara, brother Sam aged 21 and her three sisters Chloe aged 14 and twins sisters Jessica and Victoria aged 13.
Her mother, Sara, said: ““Charlotte adores Helen House; she loves it and Chloe, Victoria and Jessica love it too.
There’s so much to do there, with all the art activities and the playroom. It’s also nice for Charlotte to have some time without us. She gets spoiled and it’s all one-to-one which is good for her. Helen House is such a wonderful place which we enjoy coming to as a family, giving us vital help and support.
"However, it is now over 30 years old so it does need up-dating with improvements including piped oxygen in all the rooms and wider corridors and spaces so larger, modern wheelchairs and beds can be moved around.
"The spa, music, art and plays areas are places we spend time together and they along with the kitchen and dining areas do need updating. The refurbishment will also provide a new dedicated teaching space for children so they are able to continue their lessons during their stay. So please help by making a donation if you can.”
Local community fundraiser, Janet Carruzzo, said: “We would like to thank everyone who has made a donation so far to the Helen House Refurbishment Appeal but we do need to raise the final £500,000 by the end of the summer to complete the work to ensure our families from the Newbury area can enjoy the most up-to-date facilities when they come and stay with us.”
Anyone wishing to donate should visit the charity’s website at www.helenanddouglas.org.uk, or contact the Fundraising Team by email; fundraising@helenanddouglas.org.uk, or phone; 01865 799150.