An appeal to raise £250,000 to build and run a state-of-the-art day hospice in Honiton has captured the hearts of the local community and is now approaching the £30,000 mark.

In February, the Midweek Herald and its sister papers backed the launch of Hospiscare’s East Devon Hospice Appeal to help raise the remaining funds needed for the day hospice.

Demolition of the buildings on the site has started and the new hospice, which is located in King Street, is due to open later this summer.

The £60,000 cost of the demolition has been gifted to Hospiscare by local businesses.

The charity has been supported by people and businesses across East Devon, who have been generously supporting the appeal in various ways from concerts and wine tasting evenings to pamper days.

Hospiscare appeal fundraiser Sarah Smith said: “The fundraising total is made up of many donations and every single one will help bring care closer to our patients and families in East Devon.

“We have been very lucky to have had generous support from a number of local companies who have gifted their services to us, saving Hospiscare more than £65k.’’

The new hospice will serve patients in East Devon. It will feature spa-like treatment rooms, a large and comfortable patient lounge, a beautiful garden, plus educational facilities for the training of healthcare professionals and students, and access to palliative care specialists for support, advice or treatment.

Honiton Lions Ladies and Honiton and District Lions Club cooked up a storm at a Big Breakfast event last Saturday at Offwell Village Hall. More than £400 was raised.

They served up more than 70 breakfasts. Lyn Guilbert, who helped organise the event, said she was thrilled with how the event went and thanked all the local people who turned out to support the fundraiser.

To donate to the appeal visit www.eastdevondayhospiceappeal.co.uk. Alternatively, visit participating Natwest branches in Honiton, Axminster, Ottery St Mary, and Seaton.

For more information on how to get involved in fundraising for the East Devon Hospice Appeal contact appeal fundraiser Sarah Smith by emailing s.smith@hospiscare.co.uk or call 01392 688062.

Hospiscare recieved a grant of £510,000 from NHS England as well as generous pledges from its sister charities Budleigh, Exmouth, Sidmouth Hospiscare, to bring the project to fruition.