Among the people welcoming the news of the outpatient centre is retired headteacher Audrey Tomlin.

She has been supported by Prospect Hospice’s community nurse specialist for the past six months for a respiratory condition called bronchiectasis. 

The 84-year-old grandmother said: “The Outpatient Centre at Savernake Hospital will be wonderful for people like me. 

“Just to be able to make a visit there once a week and to tap into everything that Prospect Hospice stands for will help me to live with my illness and to stay independent for as long as I can. 

“I know that the people of Marlborough and the surrounding villages will support this appeal because the area is full of good, kind people, and the need is there.”

Volunteers say the new unit is a huge vote of support for the future of the hospital. 
Janet Louth, chairman of Friends of Savernake Hospital & the Community, said: “We are delighted it is coming to Savernake and that people who used to have to travel to Wroughton will be able to come here instead.”

Val Compton, who campaigned to save services at Savernake Hospital, added: “It’s wonderful. Savernake used to be a busy little hospital and thankfully it still is a busy little hospital so the more services we can get there, especially those that are well suited to the area, make me very pleased.”

HOW TO DONATE

There are lots of ways you can help reach our £75,000 target to make the outpatient centre at Savernake Hospital a reality.

You can organise an event at a school, shop, office, pub or club or in your home. You might even want to do sponsored run or just bake some cakes in exchange for donations.

Tell us what you are doing and we’ll make sure we publicise it. It doesn’t matter how large or small the event or donation, we want to hear about it. Every penny raised counts.

Contact Anna Mauremootoo on (01225) 773607 or email her at amauremootoo@newswilts.co.uk

You can also donate direct to Prospect at Prospect Savernake Appeal, Moormead Road, Wroughton, Swindon SN49BY.

You can also take along a donation in person to one of the Prospect shops in Marlborough, Pewsey or Hungerford.

You can also donate by calling Prospect on (01793) 816161 by clicking here.