Oscar Winner Helen Backs Hospice Appeal

DAME Helen Mirren has joined the fight to save services from being cut at the cash-strapped Fair Havens Hospice in Westcliff.

The Oscar-winning actress, who grew up in Queens Road, Leigh, has thrown her weight behind the campaign to boost funding for the hospice after hearing about its financial problems.

Fair Havens, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, helps terminally ill adults across south Essex and launched the Help Our Hospice appeal last month.

advertisementDame Helen, who went to St Bernard’s School in Westcliff, and is best known for her roles in The Queen and TV series Prime Suspect, sent the charity her best wishes from Los Angeles.

She said: “I am delighted to back Havens Hospice’s 25th Anniversary, which is such a wonderful achievement for a truly remarkable place.

“Havens Hospices has touched the lives of many throughout its years of service within the local communities.

“The vital services have provided a true haven for hundreds of patients, children and their families.

“Fair Havens began its journey 25 years ago and has become a piece of local history. Please do all that you can to back the Help our Hospice Appeal.

“With ever increasing costs your support will enable future families to be cared for at times of desperate need.”

Fair Havens, in First Avenue, needs to raise £250,000 by the end of March to safeguard nursing services, with a further £250,000 required by the end of 2008.

The hospice’s director of care, Sharon Paradine, said: “We are thrilled Dame Helen Mirren has backed the Help Our Hospice Appeal.

“She is such a well-known figure, not only in south Essex but across the globe.

“This means a lot to our staff, patients and families that she is thinking of us at such a testing time.”