The Friends of Savernake Hospital have put their weight behind Prospect Hospice’s fundraising appeal for an out-patient centre in Marlborough by promising to match funds raised by the community, up to £20,000.

An appeal was launched in Gazette last week, aiming to raise £75,000 for the facility at Savernake Hospital, so patients from the Marlborough and Pewsey areas needing end-of-life care will be able to receive treatment closer to home.

The Friends of Savernake Hospital and the Community is a charity that supports organisations and individuals involved in healthcare, both at the hospital and in the wider area.

Chairman of the Friends Janet Louth said: “We would be delighted if the community would get behind this fundraising effort for the Prospect Hospice facility at Savernake Hospital.

“It’s such an important cause because everybody knows somebody who needs end of life care.”

Val Compton, who lost her High Court campaign to save services at the hospital in 2009 and sits on the Friends committee, said: “We are certain that, with the help of the community, we can ensure Prospect Hospice’s brilliant, compassionate services will come to our own Savernake Hospital.

“Since 1866, the community has supported Savernake Hospital in so many ways. If it were not for that support this wonderful little hospital would not be here today.

“So we are throwing out a challenge, raise money for Prospect Hospice and we will double every penny that is raised.

“It’s up to the community to think small, with fundraising coffee mornings, or think big; as big as you can.”

Over the years, the Friends have provided grants for a variety of projects, including £1,000 worth of new physiotherapy equipment for the Falls Clinic at the hospital and funding for activities provided by the Jubilee Centre in Marlborough.

Richard Hammond, Prospect Hospice’s director of income generation, said: “We are thrilled that the Friends have been so generous in offering to match funds raised by the local community for our appeal and that they have welcomed so strongly the news of our planned out- patient centre.

“We greatly welcome this support and feel more confident that it will rally the people of Marlborough and the surrounding villages in bring Prospect Hospice’s unparalleled care closer for patients and carers in their area.”

To make a donation to the Prospect Hospice Savernake Hospital appeal, go online to www.prospect-hospice.net/ savernakeappeal, call (01793) 816161 or visit one of the Prospect Hospice shops, in Marlborough High Street, Pewsey or Hungerford.