The Prospect Hospice Savernake Appeal is now more than half the way to its £75,000 target, thanks to the surrounding community’s fundraising efforts.

Since the appeal was launched at the beginning of October, £24,000 has been donated to the hospice, to help open the Prospect Hospice Outpatient Centre at Savernake Hospital.

Shortly after the appeal was announced in the Gazette & Herald, the Friends of Savernake Hospital pledged to match fund any money raised, up to £20,000.

Richard Hammond, the director of income generation at Prospect Hospice, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the incredible generosity of the people of Marlborough and the surrounding villages, who clearly recognise that, together, we can improve hugely the experiences of patients who are approaching the end of their lives, and those of their families too.

“Their support brings ever closer the reality of a centre of care and help for patients who have previously had to travel to the hospice in Wroughton for our help.

“With this news, our ambition to open the doors of the outpatient centre next summer comes closer to reality, and I thank everyone who has donated to the appeal to date.”

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.

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

Chairman of the Friends Janet Louth said: ““I’m delighted that the community has got behind such a worthwhile cause and has donated such a lot of money in such a short space of time.

“We are planning to hand over the first £10,000 at the hospital on December 19.