THE family of a man who died in the East Lancashire Hospice, aged just 46, have urged people to support the charity’s £125,000 roof appeal.

Peter Boardman, a father-of-two, died last month, eight months after he was diagnosed with terminal lung and bone cancer.

Mr Boardman’s wife Nicola, 40, said the support he and their family received from staff at the hospice was ‘fantastic’.

She said: “I cannot sing the praises of the place highly enough.

“It is a wonderful place and, on reflection, I do not know how we would have coped or what we would have done without it.

“It was a very, very difficult time for all of us, but everything that the hospice did was so important. It was there that he saw the Macmillan nurses. Nothing was too much for them.

“I would encourage anyone to support the hospice, you never know when it could be you, or someone in your family, that needs their support.”

The Lancashire Telegraph launched a fundraising campaign almost two weeks ago to raise the cash for repairs to the 27-year-old building’s roof.

The hospice, in Park Lee Road, Blackburn, already needs to raise £2.8million each year to continue supporting people in Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley who have terminal and life-threatening diseases.

It relies on fundraising, donations and grants to help offer specialist, supportive and end-of-life care for patients and their families, both at the hospice and in their own home.

But now, after nearly three decades of wear and tear, the roof of the building has fallen into disrepair.

Staff are using buckets to collect water coming through the leaky structure, and damp patches are starting to form on the ceiling.

Mrs Boardman, who lives with their daughters Talia, 12, and Claudia, nine, in Feniscowles, Blackburn, has already raised £800 for the charity since her husband’s death.

How to donate

  • By text - Send ROOF to 70700. Texts cost £5 plus network charge. East Lancashire Hospice receives at least £4.45. Obtain bill payers permission. Customer care 08448479800.

    Charity No 1075653.

  • Online - At eastlancshospice.org.uk/roof-appeal. Remember to add the word ‘roof’ in the comments section so it is clear the donation is for this appeal.
  • At a bank - Make a payment at any Yorkshire Bank, Account No 22741541, Sort Code 05-02-52. Locally there are branches in Accrington, Barnoldswick, Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, Clitheroe, Colne, Nelson and Todmorden.
  • By post - Send a cheque to Roof Appeal, East Lancashire Hospice, Park Lee Road, Blackburn, BB2 3NY.
  • By phone - Pay by debit or credit card by ringing 01254 733410.

If surplus funds are raised they will be used for the general purposes of the charity.

Click on the link below for more information on the Raise The Roof campaign.