HOME Secretary Jack Straw kick-started a huge fund-raising drive to raise £1.3 million to convert the East Lancashire Hospice into a centre of excellence.

The Blackburn MP was the guest of honour to officially launch the appeal to build a day therapy unit.

More than 100 dignitaries, including hospice staff and volunteers, attended the launch at Ewood Park yesterday.

Among them was the former Home Secretary Lord Waddington, Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans and civic leaders from Blackburn with Darwen and the Ribble Valley.

Dr Merton Seigleman, the consultant who pioneered the building of the hospice in Park Lee Road, Blackburn, in 1984, was also present.

Mr Straw said the hospice movement had played a leading role in changing attitudes to death.

He also spoke about two close friends who had died of cancer in the past two years.

He said: "In each case they died at home and they would not have been able to if the day care had not been available.

"There is no finer cause to improve the quality of life." He said public appeals did not undermine the principles of the NHS and that there was a limit on the amount of Government money available.

Dr Seigleman, 75, who retired in 1993, said: "It is nice to set things going and see other people carry it on. This is fantastic and is part of the evolution of the hospice.

"I am sure East Lancashire people will give as much support as they did last time."

The day therapy unit will change the face of the treatment of the terminally ill and improve the privacy and dignity for patients.

The extension will be built on the existing hospice car park and the day unit will be run as a separate department to the 10-bed inpatient unit.

Since the hospice opened in 1984 demand for the service has outstripped supply and staff have struggled to cope in the cramped building.

The lack of space has caused problems for nursing staff and hampered the dignity and privacy of patients.

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