Terry Waite hosted a lunch at East Cheshire Hospice to highlight the work it does to care for patients from across the borough.
Mr Waite CBE commanded the room full of invited dignitaries, volunteers, business people and press as he welcomed the guests to the event.
The lunch aimed to show the representatives what the hospice does to care for people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses from Macclesfield, Wilmslow, Buxton, Congleton, High Legh, High Peak, Knutsford and everywhere in between.
Mr Waite, who became famous after being taken hostage in Beirut in the 80s while working as envoy for the Archbishop of Canterbury, is patron of the hospice and urged guests to help with ideas for how it can continue to raise money for its future.
Guests heard the hospice – which gets less than 20 per cent of its funds from the government – has to raise £6,200 every day just to cover costs.
Mike Pyrah, hospice director, told guests about its five-year plan to cope with new pressures, including an increasing ageing population.
Mr Waite told the Express: “Inviting everyone here today is part of an ongoing process to bring people to the hospice so they can see for themselves what a good job it does.
“It’s hidden away but people should not see it as all doom and gloom, there’s a great friendly and positive atmosphere.”
Mr Waite said he was friends with Cicely Saunders who helped launch the hospice movement when she founded St Christopher’s Hospice in south west London in 1967.
East Cheshire Hospice opened in 1988 and today its facilities include a gym, art studio, hair salon and therapy suites. It has the Sunflower Centre for outpatients with a variety of activities.
Mr Waite, who lives in London but was born in Bollington and grew up in Styal, became involved with the hospice many years ago through his friend, Brian Redhead, who presented radio show the Today Programme and lived in Macclesfield.
He was taken hostage in Beirut working as an envoy for the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1987 and was in captivity for five years.
On his fame, Mr Waite said: “If you’ve got a high profile, then I think you should use it creatively and for a good purpose.
“But I think I was asked to be a patron of the hospice because I have a sympathy for those who need respite care, it’s a genuine caring about human beings and showing compassion in a society which can be ruthless and cut-throat.
“All these years the hospice has done and continues to do a splendid job but requires massive voluntary funds. People really understand this place when they have a relative here or come to visit, that’s when they really see how special it is.”
Art by patients at the hospice is on display as part of an exhibition at Jobling Gowler solicitors in Macclesfield.
Contact the hospice on 01625 610364 to help as a volunteer or with fundraising, or visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk
