25th anniversary

The roots of Princess Alice Hospice lie in a conversation that took place on the 11 January 1980. As we come to the end of 2011 we also come to the end of our anniversary celebrations!

We recently held a very successful 25th anniversary party for 950 supporters, staff, volunteers, patients and their families. The event raised over £34,000, a Celebrity Golf Day in June secured a further £18,500. This money along with over £4,000 from Julie Thomas' Cycle Cuban Challenge, other funds from community events and donations from the public via The Big Give Project will help to make the anniversary project of creating a patient focused therapeutic garden a reality.

Visit the link below to see images from the 25th anniversary party!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2769799168771.153063.1371740935&type=1&l=7d1891bb8f

How we got here!

Geoffrey Gardner, a Reader at Christ Church, Esher, was talking to Edwin and Kathleen Stevens about his work as a volunteer and fundraiser at Trinity Hospice, Clapham.  Edwin suggested that people of the Esher area needed a local hospice.  He offered that, if Geoffrey did the work to set up a local Hospice, he would help financially, eventually donating £400,000 out of the total £2 million raised.

Many people offered their time and help; as trustees, friends and community fundraisers. The Mayor of Elmbridge, Virginia Waller, agreed to a Mayoral Appeal which raised more than £250,000. These people ensured that the seed of an idea could come to life and Princess Alice Hospice started caring in the community in September 1985 and opened its doors to in-patients on 13 November.

As we look to the future care that we will need to provide, we have launched a 25th Anniversary Campaign to fund forward-looking projects.  The project we have decided to bring to life is to create a therapeutic garden.  One of our Senior Nursing Assistants, Alison Rodgman, after discussions with patients, came up with the idea of having a sensory garden with secluded areas.

'Many patients on the ward tell me how they want to feel the sun on their face - and sometimes rain too - as it makes them feel 'normal'.  It made me think about how the garden could be improved.  I drew a plan with all the different plants and flowers that would grow best in our soil.'

Alison's initial ideas were given great consideration with agreement from the Senior Management team and Board of Trustees that this was a development that we needed to undertake.  

The Evergreen Project will transform the grounds of the Hospice, creating an outside environment of comfort and peace, a garden with secluded spots where people can spend precious private time with family and friends.

To find out more about The Evergreen Project, or to make a donation towards it, please call Julie Thomas on 01372 461855 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

To celebrate our anniversary we have launched a special 25th Anniversary book; caring when it matters: 25 years of Princess Alice Hospice.  The book can be purchased for £7.50 at the Hospice or by calling Julie Thomas on the number above.