Hospice celebrates first decade

A decade of care at a hospice in County Durham is being celebrated on Thursday.

Thousands of people in and around Bishop Auckland have been helped by staff at the Butterwick Hospice which was founded in 1995.

Chief executive Graham Leggatt-Chidgey said: "We have made incredible strides since we took over the building at Woodhouse Lane 10 years ago."

On Thursday a day of celebration is planned including visits from former staff and relatives of patients.

Generous support

The hospice was the brainchild if Mary Butterwick, whose husband John died of cancer. At the time she found it hard to get the advice and support she needed.

Now Butterwick Hospice Care has expanded to provide outreach hospice care in community hospitals in Sedgefield, Stanhope and Barnard Castle.

It has also developed a service staffed by experienced health care professionals who bring care to patients in their own homes both overnight and during the day.

"We are very grateful for the generous support that continues to be given to the hospice by the people of Bishop Auckland and surrounding areas. Without their help none of this would have been possible."