A hospice in Gloucestershire has today launched a special appeal to help refurbish its specialist inpatient unit.

Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, based just outside Cheltenham, has 16 beds giving expert hospice care every hour of the day, 365 days a year, to people in the county living with cancer, lung disease, heart failure and neurological conditions.

It is the only specialist unit providing palliative care for people from every corner of the county and it is housed in a Grade II listed Cotswold manor house first purchased by Lady Ryder 40 years ago this year.

To continue providing its specialist care in a home-from-home environment that meets the care standards of today, the charity has an urgent need to invest in refurbishing the unit.

It estimates this could cost £110,000.

The hospice has launched 'The Big 40' appeal to raise the funds needed for the work, without diverting existing funds away from the specialist care its team of doctors, nurses, specialists and volunteers provide.

Hospice director Elise Hoadley said: "It was 40 years ago this year that Lady Ryder and a team of fundraisers, local businesses and volunteers from every corner of the county started their mammoth task of rebuilding and refurbishing the old manor house with the vision of creating a special place to provide compassionate care to people in the county.

"That vision remains and as custodians of the wonderful legacy left by all those who were here at the very start, we have a duty to make sure we maintain this wonderful building in a way that retains its character whilst creating a bright and welcoming home from home for our patients and families."

"Refurbishing the unit by replacing flooring, completely redecorating, adding new electric points and new bedside TVs and installing new hand washing facilities will mean we can continue providing a warm and welcoming place for Gloucestershire residents to come and receive our specialist care."

Any funds raised over and above the estimated cost of refurbishment will be used to fund existing projects or running costs at the hospice

Head of hospice fundraising Mike Tague added: "There are many ways people can support us in our Big 40 appeal, by making a donation or arranging a fundraising event to help raise funds towards our refurbishment plans - from coffee mornings to bake sales to sponsored events.

"Fifty pounds could install new electrical sockets with shaver points in a patient's bedroom, £200 could pay for a new bedside TV, or £300 could completely redecorate one of our patient rooms making a difference to the welcoming environment we offer to those we care for."

For more information on the appeal and to donate visit www.sueryder.org/leckhamptonbig40.

Picture: Some of the nursing team at the hospice