THE £4million hospice "built out of love" opened its doors today.

After 13 years of fundraising, Kilbryde Hospice - which will care for and support people with a range of illnesses - finally moved into its new home in Hamilton International Technology Park, near Blantyre.

Chairman Dennis Gallagher, whose late father-in-law Tony McGuinness drove the fundraising campaign, hosted a reception thanking supporters for their generosity.

Every penny of the money raised to build the facility was donated by local people, schools and businesses.

Dennis said: "I am absolutely delighted that the hospice is complete.

"Thirteen years is a long time and I have to thank everyone who has supported us, donated and never given up.

"This truly is the people's hospice - the public made it happen."

He added: "Tony would be overwhelmed with pride if he was here today."

Tony devoted the last 10 years of his life to the hospice appeal, which eventually raised £4m, despite battling a debilitating form of Parkinson's Disease.

From negotiating with NHS Scotland to rattling collection cans, he was an inspirational figure who oversaw the opening of the hospice's drop-in centre and two fundraising shops.

Kilbryde Hospice is South Lanarkshire's first in-patient hospice, caring for people with cancer, Parkinson's Disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other life-limiting illnesses.

It also provides support for families, carers and people who have been bereaved.

Today's opening is the first stage of the move from the hospice's temporary home at the Red Deer Centre in East Kilbride.

A drop-in daycare facility has been operating there for several years.

The move to the new centre is expected to see an increase in day-care patient visits from 5000 annually to around 15,000.

Office staff are now moving in, with day care services expected to begin mid-December.

And next week there will be a chance for the public to view the new Kilbryde Hospice. Visitors are welcome on Monday and Tuesday between 1pm to 8pm to take a walk round the hospice and meet some of its directors, staff and volunteers.

The next phase is to secure funding to develop in-patient palliative care services. The hospice has 12 in-patient bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms.

A wing at the hospice will be named in honour of Donna Mortimer Ballantyne, who was on the board of the charity until her death from skin cancer in 2011.

The 39-year-old's family, who own Lynnet Leisure, parent company of well-known Glasgow restau-rants and clubs 29, Rogano and One Up, attended this week's ceremony.

James Mortimer said: "Our family is proud to be a supporter of the Kilbryde Hospice. Having a wing named after Donna means so much to us and we will continue to fundraise in her memory, so the facility can operate to the highest standard."

Glasgow entrepreneur Lord Willie Haughey and his wife, Lady Susan, have also supported the fundraising campaign. Lady Susan is a member of the Kilbryde Hospice board.

Former Manchester United and Aberdeen manager Sir Alex Ferguson cut the first sod in the construction of the hospice last year, joining the Mortimer family and hospice and trust board members at the site to signal the start of work.

James added: "I would like to thank everyone who has supported us, especially Lord and Lady Haughey, who have not only donated financially, but also have invested their time. "

Donna's sister Christine now sits on the Kilbryde Hospice board.

After today's celebrations, Dennis explained the hard work would continue to ensure the hospice delivered "the best care possible".

And he added: "We hope everyone will keep donating. This is only the start and we need your generosity to continue to support those with life-limiting illnesses and their families."

ann.fotheringham@ eveningtimes.co.uk

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