THE Lancashire Telegraph today launches a £125,000 fundraising campaign to build a new roof for East Lancashire Hospice.

The hospice has stood as a beacon of hope for the sick and dying for 27 years.

But after nearly three decades of wear and tear, the roof of its building has fallen into disrepair.

Staff are using buckets to collect water coming through the leaky structure, and damp patches are starting to form on the ceiling.

Heartless thieves made the situation even worse 18 months ago, damaging tiles when they clambered onto the roof to steal lead.

And experts said the damp could eventually become a health risk to the patients receiving support and solace during their final days.

Today we are urging our readers to help find the £125,000 needed to buy a new roof, with the launch of the 'Raise the Roof' campaign.

It is crucial that any money used to buy a new roof does not come from funds allocated to patient care.

The hospice, in Park Lee Road, Blackburn, already needs to raise approximately £2.8 million each year to continue supporting people in Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley who have terminal and life-threatening diseases.

It relies on fundraising, donations and grants to help offer specialist, supportive and end-of-life care for patients and their families, both at the hospice and in their own home.

Sadly, some of that money is under threat because of the economic climate.

There are doubts over the future of the charity's NHS funding, which accounts for around a third of the total, and loyal supporters are less able to give because of financial difficulties.

That is why the hospice, which has helped thousands of people in their hour of need, now needs our help more than ever.

Sharon Crymble, fundraising manager at East Lancashire Hospice, said: “It costs almost £2.8 million each year to provide a special way of caring to those in our community who are coping with a life limiting illness and we wouldn’t be able to do this without the help of our supporters and the donations we receive.

“This year we are asking people to dig even deeper, at what we know is a very difficult time, to quite literally put a roof over the heads of our patients.

“The roof was put on to the hospice building when it opened its doors almost 27 years ago and is now two years past its life span of 25 years.

“We now need to raise an additional £125,000 to pay for the roof and at the same time continue to raise vital funds for what is a very important service to people who are coping with a life limiting illness and at a time when they need it.

“We are sending a plea to the people of Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley to help us to raise the money for the roof so that our general funds that provide our specialist services are not affected.

“Please dig deep and help us to keep the service of the hospice available for many years to come.”

She said the leaky roof was not in keeping with the first class surroundings the hospice otherwise provides.

She said: “The inpatient unit has all been modernised.

"We appealed for a grant and we received half, for the upgrading of the inpatients rooms, which was all about patient comfort and care.

“We extended the rooms for families and put in seating areas, put in new ensuite bathrooms, and made the doors wider so patients could go out in the garden in their beds.

“The roof just doesn't fit in with the rest of our facilities.”

Lancashire Telegraph Editor Kevin Young said: “East Lancashire Hospice is one of the most important and valued facilities in our region.

"For many years it has provided exceptional support to local families. It has helped scores of local people, but now it needs our help.

“The roof project is absolutely essential and today we are calling on all of our readers to get behind this cause.

“No matter how small, your donation will make a difference - and together I'm sure we can give the hospice the support it needs.”

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Mike Damms pledged to galvanise support from the business community.

Ribble Valley and Blackburn MPs Nigel Evans and Jack Straw also offered their support.

Mr Evans said: “The hospice gives peace of mind, support, expert knowledge and medical care during a crucial time in people's lives.

“I do not think you can value that as a cost, but clearly there is a cost to it and we must ensure that it is met.

“I know we are in difficult financial times but I do hope that the typical generosity of East Lancashire people will once again be demonstrated in significant strength so these building works can be carried out.”

Jack Straw said: “The hospice has provided a phenomenal service for cancer patients and their families over the last quarter of a century plus, and it now is a vital facility for the whole area, so everyone should give generously.”

The Lancashire Telegraph’s health expert has outlined the medical importance of a new roof.

At the moment, damp patches which have appeared at the hospice pose no risk, but Dr Tom Smith said eventually the damp could aggravate and cause allergies and infections.

Dr Tom said: “If damp is appearing in the walls, there is a future danger of this developing into mould.

"It’s urgent that the roof is replaced.”

The roof above the hospice’s inpatient unit was built in 1983.

The building opened a year later, and contractors gave the structure a 25-year lifespan.

Chris Devlin, of Oswaldtwistle construction firm J&C Devlin Ltd, will be the man tasked with replacing the roof if the £125,000 is raised.

He said: “There have been multiple places that have needed damp works to patch them up and the roof has just about reached the end of its shelf-life.

"Thieves stealing lead flashing also disturbed sections of the roof.”

Chris estimates the project, which would involve replacing around 25,000 roof tiles, would take three months to complete.

If surplus funds are raised they will be used for the general purposes of the charity.

How to donate

  • By text - Send ROOF to 70700. Texts cost £5 plus network charge. East Lancashire Hospice receives at least £4.45. Obtain bill payers permission. Customer care 08448479800.

    Charity No 1075653.

  • Online - At eastlancshospice.org.uk/roof-appeal. Remember to add the word ‘roof’ in the comments section so it is clear the donation is for this appeal.
  • At a bank - Make a payment at any Yorkshire Bank, Account No 22741541, Sort Code 05-02-52. Locally there are branches in Accrington, Barnoldswick, Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, Clitheroe, Colne, Nelson and Todmorden.
  • By post - Send a cheque to Roof Appeal, East Lancashire Hospice, Park Lee Road, Blackburn, BB2 3NY.
  • By phone - Pay by debit or credit card by ringing 01254 733410.

To find out more about how you can get involved call the hospice fundraising department on 01254 733412.