A CHESHIRE charity is proud to announce that its Chair of the Board of Trustees, Robert Mee DL, has been installed as the new High Sheriff of Cheshire.

Robert, who has lived in Cheshire for nearly 40 years, was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd in 2018.

His knowledge of both the local business landscape and his experience of being a trustee for many local charities has helped him to guide the Hospice through recent difficult times, especially with the impact of the pandemic.

Robert said: “I was asked to become the Chair of the Board three years ago, and living in Chester, I had obviously already heard so much about the work of the hospice.

“However, until I became personally involved I hadn’t realised just what a huge impact the hospice makes to the lives of so many local people.

"There were so many services the hospice delivers that I was not aware of, including the work the hospice does in supporting bereaved people across West Cheshire no matter whether their loved one has died at the hospice or not.

"I was also very surprised to hear about the special child bereavement service and I have come to learn what an impact this can have on the life of a young person who has been bereaved. I am very proud to be able to continue to support such a wonderful local charity.

“The hospice is one of the many charities across Cheshire who do vital work to support so many people in our community, and they are all helped by an army of willing volunteers.

"I know first-hand, through my work at the hospice, the devastating impact the effects the coronavirus has had on our local charities.

"I believe it is essential that we do not forget that they will need continued and on-going support to be able to deliver their services to the communities in which they work.

"As I carry out my duties around Cheshire I look forward to meeting many of you and being able to thank you in person for your contribution in support of our communities.”

As with so many charities, the hospice is currently facing difficult financial times due to the continuing impact of Covid and is having to find new and innovative ways to raise funds to ensure the hospice can continue to deliver its essential end of life care to the community.

The hospice has continued to deliver end of life care and support to the communities of Chester and West Cheshire during lockdown, however, as is the case for many other charities, fundraising has been very difficult.

Support the #SaveYourHospice appeal now at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/saveyourhospice or call 01244 851811.

The hospice, which is not part of the NHS, receives only 25 per cent of its income from government funding, meaning it has to raise just over £3 million each year from donations, fundraising events and charity shops.