THE expansion of a St Asaph hospice has reached its halfway point.

Works are currently underway as part of £2.5 million development to extend the St Kentigern Hospice, on Upper Denbigh Road, from eight beds to 12.

The state of the art development is scheduled for completion in later this year, and the focus continues on fundraising an additional half a million pounds to cover the cost of specialist equipment and interior decoration to create a new clinical environment and a home from home for future patients their carers and families.

St Kentigern president Lady Susan Langford said: “The extension is a major step for palliative care in the area.

“It’s important for the general public to remember that every penny that we make goes into the hospice.

“We have a good standing in the community; they’ve supported us for over 30 years and continue to do so and we’re very, very grateful to them.”

However, while the £500,000 Care Appeal has reached the halfway point and needs more support in reaching the fundraising target for a new kitchen, medical devices, lifts, hoists, specialist beds and other equipment to assist people in their mobility.

The fund-raising campaign first got under way back in October, when the first sod was cut to mark the start of the work to build and, to date, the campaign has reached £390,000.

The new investment will include premises for wider activities and an educational area.

The project will also include a café, which will be open to the public as well as patients and relatives, as well as new office space.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the appeal can contact the fundraising team on 01745 775415 or visit the website stkentigernhospice.org.uk.