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About Us History It was a spring day in 1985 when the Charity was co-founded by Pat Jeavons and Don Sturrock.
The initial fundraising efforts were to produce a lot of interest and the profile of the Charity was considerably heightened when the first Hospice shop opened in Bellegrove Road, Welling in 1986. From the day it opened, the shop produced a flood of donated goods and plenty of customers to buy them. The shop takings generated nearly one third of the initial building costs. In 1988 the Co-operative Wholesale Society first indicated that they would be prepared to negotiate a piece of land at Bostall Hill, Abbey Wood. On the site stood a large Victorian house called Shornells, used by the Co-op as a training centre and guesthouse. After long negotiations and having obtained outline planning permission for the Hospice, contracts were exchanged with the Co-op at Woolwich Town Hall in September 1991. The site was purchased for just £1. The building was completed in October 1993 and following the recruitment of staff, fitting out and equipping the Hospice, the first patients arrived in early 1994. Opening
As the years progressed, demand for the Hospice service increased as it became more widely known and respected within the community. Pat Jeavons dies In June 1997 Co-founder Pat Jeavons lost her battle against cancer and died in the Hospice that she and Don Sturrock fought so hard to get for the people of Greenwich and Bexley. Prior to her death, Pat was Chairman of the Board of Trustees and following her death Don Sturrock took over the mantle. He held that office for a further six months and then felt it appropriate to pass on the responsibility to others. Local Council Awards Following the death of Pat Jeavons, the two local Councils acknowledged the tremendous achievements that she and Don Sturrock had made to the communities and decided to present a combined award. Certificates of Honours from both authorities were presented to Don and representatives of Pat’s family at a special awards ceremony held in the grounds of the Hospice in May 1998. This award is unique because on no previous occasion had the two boroughs worked together on such a project. Forget–Me–Not Appeal
That time had now come and it was the responsibility of the directors at that time to decide what to do. Following a detailed feasibility study and a presentation of how additional funds could be raised, an appeal was launched. The appeal was launched in October 1999 with a target of £1,000,000. This would enable the void area beneath the building to be converted into a multi-functional day facility with Lymphoedema clinic, Massage and Therapy rooms, Counselling room, Relaxation room, Doctor’s Consulting room, bathroom, toilets, lounge, dinning area, conservatory and a lift. With the relocation of the day facility into the new extension it would make available space to create seven additional bedrooms with en-suite facilities, larger visitor’s room, new prayer room, Counselling rooms and office space. Funds came from all sources. The community shared the vision as well as local and national trust funds. The National Lottery under the name of the Community Fund came up trumps with a donation near to half a million. This meant that work could commence in November 2001 and Kind and Co. builders were appointed. The
building works undertook two phases Phase one, the conversion of the space on the lower ground floor into the new day facility. This was completed in June 2002 and named Shornells after the house that once stood on the site the Hospice now occupies. Phase two of the works, the conversion of the old day facility into new rooms commenced in June 2002 and has now been completed. Don Sturrock dies In August 2002, Don Sturrock lost his 20 year battle against cancer and died in Donald ward at the Hospice. It was fitting that both he and Pat Jeavons should spend their final days in the Hospice they both pioneered and created for the people of Greenwich and Bexley.
On Sunday 13th October 2002 a Thanksgiving Service was held in the grounds of the Hospice for the life of Don Sturrock .
The completion of the extended hospice The building works were completed in the autumn of 2002 and as a result we can now provide beds for 19 patients.
The facilities on the in-patient facility comprise of:
The years beyond the expansion Shornells soon became a well used and appreciated facility. Groups, individuals and the community as a whole have all ensured it is used wisely and effectively. 19 beds being available for the residents of Greenwich and Bexley have also been well received and widely used. The increase in beds and space for day care and clinics has understandably increased our client numbers and in turn has increased the amount of work the counselling and support staff has undertaken. To enable the Hospice to remain solvent and to meet all its liabilities the income generation activities have also expanded, these include the expansion of the retail shops and the development and enhancement of our fundraising activities. To meet these expansions, premises are now leased at Bellegrove Parade, Welling Way, Welling to accommodate the fundraising and retail operations under one roof. During 2007 and following discussions with both Greenwich Teaching Primary Care Trust and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich the Hospice took over the line management of the specialist palliative care team that works within Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the specialist palliative care home care team that works within the London Borough of Greenwich. The transfer of management took place on April 1st 2008. Following a successful bid for Government funding additional building and refurbishment works took place during the summer and autumn of 2008. These works cost nearly £700,000 and included: For Shornells For Woodlands These works, although disruptive whilst they were taking place have improved the facilities that are available to our patients, their families and carers. 2009 marks the 15th anniversary of the Hospice opening its doors and providing the very special care and support that it does. So much has happened during the past 15 years and the Hospice has expanded to meet the ever changing needs of the communities that it serves. For the financial year April 2009 to March 2010 the budgeted expenditure is £5.6 million of which 60% is raised via charitable and community support. To assist in raising the extra funds that are needed to ensure the Hospice can provide its specialist care a Lottery was launched in May 2009. To find out how you can support our work click here.
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The
idea of a Hospice for the two boroughs of Greenwich and Bexley originated
from the fact that the nearest Hospice was St Christopher’s at Sydenham,
which was not easily accessible. Pat and Don being cancer patients
themselves saw the need for a Hospice for Greenwich and Bexley. 
The
Hospice opened in two stages, exactly two months apart. The first
stage was the opening of Day Hospice and this memorable day was
7th February 1994. A momentous event for Pat, Don and all who had
participated in any shape or form to create the Hospice, because
the dream had become a reality. The second stage of
the opening happened on 7th April 1994 when the first in-patient
arrived to be cared for in the new 10 bed unit.
In
1998 the Hospice formulated a five-year plan. Within the plan was
a commitment to develop the Hospice to meet the needs of the community.
This involved the building of new facilities.