Shooting Star Hospice: First Step in the new building

12.00.00am GMT Tue 12th Nov 2002

Last Friday, in pouring rain, supporters of the new Shooting Star hospice, including Mayors from three boroughs, the founder of Shooting Star Mrs Kate Turner and Twickenham MP Vincent Cable, launched the building of the hospice in Hampton by symbolically breaking the earth at the site.

Vincent Cable said: "The achievements of this charity are truly remarkable. To raise three million pounds, mostly from small donations and fundraising, is fantastic."

"I am very anxious that both the government, via the NHS and the lottery do more to help children's hospices and Shooting Star in particular."

"But even if they do, the main burden will remain with the charity and the local community to raise the remainder of the £6 million the capital cost and part, at least, of the running costs."

"The fact that the project is definitely going ahead and building is close to commencement will be a big psychological boost".