A hospice in Cumbria has been celebrating its 25th anniversary at a special event to commemorate the achievements of its staff and volunteers.

Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland today (March 14) marked the 25-year anniversary with a gathering of several volunteers and staff members, as well as many local dignitaries such as the Mayor of Carlisle, Wigton, Keswick, and the High Sheriff of Cumbria.

News and Star: Prince Richard admiring the Mayor of Keswick's medallionPrince Richard admiring the Mayor of Keswick's medallion (Image: Ollie Rawlinson)

Also making a visit was the Duke of Gloucester, Prince Richard, who took the time to shake every special guest’s hand and speak with them about the importance of hospice care in the county.

He also cut a ceremonial cake and unveiled a plaque for the hospice.

News and Star: Prince Richard unveiling the ceremonial plaquePrince Richard unveiling the ceremonial plaque (Image: Ollie Rawlinson)

One of the guests at the event in Askham Hall, Penrith, was Nicola Irving, who is a volunteer of five years at the hospice.

She said: “I man the reception on Friday afternoon, but I’m also involved in all sorts of other fundraising activities

“I do the Christmas card orders, the promotional material for the Christmas tree collections which is a big appeal that we run every year, I’m just really involved with anything.

“I have volunteered for five years, my husband died five years ago, and Hospice at Home helped us out at home for the last five months of his life.

“They used to come each evening to see if we needed anything, so there’s already that bond there.

“I think it’s really important to support your local charity.

“Lots of people support big national charities and sometimes they don’t see where the money goes, or they don’t get the support that they need.

“We certainly didn’t find any support from national charities, but Hospice at Home really helped us.

“They did as much as they could for us, so I feel that is really important to support this local charity.”

Prince Richard said: “I suppose if you’re in the hospice business, there’s no point doing it badly because after all there’s only one shot at the target, and you can’t say ‘oh well I’ll do it next time’.

“So may I congratulate all of you for collecting together to make an institution that works, that does what it needs to do, and at the same time, makes a community.”

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