It is more than 30 years since St Catherine’s Hospice was founded by local people who wanted to transform care at the end of life for others in their community.

Thanks to the generosity and support of local residents, the charity has provided expert physical and emotional care to thousands of terminally ill local people and their families.

Last year, the hospice cared for around 2,000 people, however, for every person St Catherine’s helps there are two others it cannot help.

To meet this challenge, the hospice is launching the Full Circle Appeal to raise £20 million so in the charity’s words, no one has to face death and loss alone.

Giles Tomsett, chief executive at St Catherine’s, said: “Our Full Circle Appeal, which includes a new larger hospice at Pease Pottage, invests in the future care of our community. The care of our children, grandchildren, neighbours and friends.’

“Our appeal’s ambitious but vital because right now we’re not helping enough people. For every one of your neighbours, colleagues, friends or family we can help, there are two others we can’t. That’s too many people left alone towards the end of their lives.”