PROSPECT Hospice is celebrating after receiving a generous grant to help keep their its vital patient transport service running.

The Wroughton-based charity was gifted £3,000 courtesy of the Caron Keating Foundation, run by TV presenter Gloria Hunniford, which will enable the charity to continue to run their its volunteer-run shuttle service to their its day hospice, which helps people who are otherwise unable to attend.

The patient transport service, which runs door-to-door, enables Prospect patients to be picked up by a specialist minibus, complete with room for equipment, and taken for a day of treatments, activities and socialising at the hospice.

Christine Clark, 80, from Penhill, has used the bus service for two years and said it took the stress away from travelling to Prospect.

“I can find it difficult to get out and about so knowing that someone is coming to pick me up, and usually it is the same driver every week, makes me feel so much better,” she said.

“When I come here I can get creative and take part in the art classes, it really is a highlight of my week.”

Fellow passenger Julie Green, 61, from Covingham said the visits to the day hospice gave her a vital social outlet.

“It’s so much more than a bus service,” she said. “It helps you get out of yourself and it is something you look forward to.

"I can’t get out of the house without help, so knowing I have this bus service that will help me, and knowing I have activities and can have a chat with people, really lifts my spirits.”

Prospect Hospice trust fundraiser Venice Marriott said the bus service gave reassurance to patients and their family members.

“We’re delighted to receive this funding, it will help us to continue with what we are doing,” she said.

“This service is invaluable, not only to our patients, but to their friends and family members who know their relatives are being looked after by qualified people and being taken safely home after.

“This is an absolutely essential service and with the Caron Keating Foundation’s support this means we can continue providing that support.

“It’s giving them that independence and the chance to mix with other people, make friends and take part in some fun activities.

“Some patients have special transport needs such as being in a wheelchair or needing to travel with an oxygen supply.

"Others may live in areas where public transport is very limited so this transport is vital to them.”

The Caron Keating Foundation gives grants to all types of cancer charities. It was set up by TV presenter Gloria Hunniford in memory of daughter Caron who died from breast cancer in 2004.

Prospect provides end-of-life care and supports a community of more than 300,000 people in the Swindon, Marlborough and Gloucestershire areas. The charity delivers care services in hospices and at home and also provides support to patients’ family members.