Staff and supporters of a hospice which serves the Ongar and North Weald area this week celebrated a £112,500 windfall from the National Lottery.

The grant will enable St Clare at Hastingwood, which is currently building an eight-bed in-patient unit, also to provide an education suite.

General manager Jo Brennan told This Is Essex: "This is a marvellous boost for us. We first applied two years ago and were turned down so we're very bucked to receive this award."

One of the first to congratulate the hospice was Ongar and Brentwood Tory MP Eric Pickles .

He said: "I'm delighted to hear the news. A major building programme is under way at St Clare and this grant will enhance the facilities."

The education suite on the second floor of the new building will be used for training staff who will work with patients with life-threatening illnesses, both in the hospice and the community.

The grant comes as fundraisers are working to collect cash to finish the in-patient unit which is expected to cost £1.85 million.

Mrs Brennan said: "We have £1.45million and are going all out to raise the rest. The bad weather has delayed us a little and we now hope to open on January 4.

"The new unit will provide 24-hour care and employ 14 extra staff. It's important that once we are open we have the money to keep going and continue to provide the necessary service."

Lottery joy: Cheers of delight from hospice staff and supporters this week. Pictured are Jo Brennan, general manager; John Harding, fundraising manager; Isabelle Langridge; Stan Wright, voluntary services manager and Judy Davidson.

Picture: GRAHAM LIDDELL

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