Last updated 12:11, Saturday, 12 April 2008

WEST Cumbria’s ‘hospice without walls’ marked the start of its 21st anniversary year with the launch of a fund to train its volunteers and staff.

• Meet one of the founders and find out what people think here

The Margaret Dowling Memorial Fund will be awarded annually to and will take applications from individuals or groups.It will support the training and teaching of hospice workers.

The fund has been set up by Hospice at Home West Cumbria in memory of former chairwoman and nurse Margaret Dowling, who was largely responsible for setting up the district’s hospice movement.

Mrs Dowling died last year aged 66.

Donations towards the fund will be invited from hospice members and the public.

It will run for five years with an option to renew.

Hospice chairman and former Maryport GP Dr Terry Collins spoke warmly of Mrs Dowling’s role in setting up the hospice as he helped to launch its 21st anniversary year at an event in Ingwell Hall, Westlakes, Whitehaven, on Wednesday.

Dr Collins reminded guests that the hospice required £1,000 a day to keep running.

Guest speaker Lord Judd, of Lorton, said the hospice had been a pacesetter of its kind for the rest of the country, and was one of the most wonderful things about West Cumbria.

Hospice vice-president Dr Brian Herd, of Lorton, recalled his role in helping to found the hospice.

Guests at the event included Allerdale mayor and mayoress Ron and Helen Munby.