SIR Michael Parkinson and Theresa May MP joined hundreds of volunteers, staff and well-wishers of the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service to mark the official ground-breaking of the new hospice building last week.
Sir Michael and Mrs May are patrons of the charity, which was set up by Alexander’s parents, Fiona and John, in 2007, after their eight-year-old son died of a rare brain tumour.
The couple have campaigned tirelessly to set up a hospice service to serve children and their families across Berkshire, and last Wednesday’s (23) ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter in the journey.
Fiona said: “It’s a day of mixed emotions for us, but we are very proud of our family, the wonderful team at Alexander Devine past and present, and also our patrons, Sir Michael and Theresa May, who took a leap of faith in the beginning and have stuck with us.”
Sir Michael, who fulfilled a childhood dream of operating the digger, said: “Today is not about me, it is about Fiona and John and the incredible work they have done.
“Fiona has grown tremendously as a person, when she first started the campaign to build the hospice, she was very shy, very unsure of herself, and understandably so, her and John had been through a terrible time. But now she is one of the finest public speakers I know.
“It’s a great honour to be here today, it is a very special day. Out of something so terrible that happened to this family, something wonderful has come about, and I am very proud of them.”
The new £5 million hospice will be located in Woodlands Park, just outside White Waltham, and will feature six en-suite bedrooms, a hydrotherapy pool, sensory room, a music room and a creative learning zone.
The service will also encompass a palliative care outreach team which will provide a ‘hospice at home’ service.
The charity currently provides direct care for more than 50 local families, funding nurses, respite care and bereavement support.
For more information on the hospice visit //www.alexanderdevine.org.
