Cancer sufferers face ferry journey if Dunoon Hospice shuts- support the protest
13 April-
Sybil in her campaign t-shirt
So it's just a few days now until the big protest. Saturday April 16 will see a band of campaigners march through Dunoon to highlight the plight of Cowal Hospice.
Health bosses are planning on shutting the facility down, leaving cancer sufferers facing a ferry journey to the nearest hospice in Greenock.
The campaign is being led by Sybil Baldwin, 54, whose late husband sadly died in the Hospice.
She said: “My late husband, Alan, died in the hospice in 2008. The cancer had gone into his bones.”
Sybil says that one thing that helped her in the dark times was the hospice staff. She said: “They support they gave me was fantastic.”
Alan, who died aged 66, was in and out the hospice for a period of a year. The Hospice provided crucial care over this period.
When the couple found out Alan was dying, they even arranged to get married in the hospital chapel next door to the Hospice.
There is great support in the town to save the Hospice- with thousands signing a petition. Dunnon Community radio and the Dunoon Observer are also supporting it.
The plight of the Hospice has even been raised in the Scottish parliament and First Minister's Questions. But its future still hangs in the balance.
If you want to attend the march on Saturday meet at the Castle Gardens for 10.30. The march will then progress to the Hospital (which is just next to the Hospice).
There is also some transport advice for people attending. Sybil Baldwin says: "Could anyone coming in by car please avoid parking at the Castle Gardens- this will be coned off by the police. The suggestion is to park at the Coal Pier or the car park at the New Link Span, or if possible use public transport."
Sybil is also planning another protest In Inverness- where the health bosses are based.
All the best to Sybil and everyone involved on the day. Show your support in the box below.
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