Hospice champion takes on vice president role

Christopher Beverley has become the first ever vice president of Brian House, after more than a decade serving the wider Trinity Hospice charity.

Brian House, located on the Fylde Coast, provides specialist palliative care for children, launching in 1996 as an offshoot of Trinity Hospice which has provided care for adults since 1985.

Christopher served as a trustee of Trinity Hospice for 12 years, during which time he was also chairman of Brian House.

As vice president, he will promote the children’s hospice as an ambassador in the community.

Trinity trustee Jean Hunter has been appointed as the new chairman for Brian House.

Christopher said: “The hospice had provided wonderful care for a number of close friends and relatives, especially to my late wonderful mother-in-law who spent her final days wrapped in the care of the staff who provided us with support at a difficult time for my wife and I. It was so clearly the right place for me to give my time and become a volunteer.

“It is indeed a great honour to have been appointed the very first vice president of Brian House which I believe will give me a new aspect to my continuing to act as a volunteer. Additionally, I can continue in a different way to always support the team within the hospice.

"It is essential that I do this separately from the Brian House committee which have a new and very able chairman in Jean, and the timing was clearly right for me to step aside from that role with a new chairman and manager who will take Brian House forward."

Nigel Law, Trinity’s chairman, said: "Christopher has been a tremendous member of our Board of Trustees, and an incredible chairman for our dedicated Children’s Hospice for a number of years.

“Although sad to bid him farewell from the board, we are delighted that he is now our very first vice president for Brian House. Our children’s hospice is a much-loved asset to all who need it on the Fylde coast, yet remains almost a hidden gem in the area.

“Christopher’s experience and passion for the care we provide and the difference we make to local families makes him a perfect ambassador for our work.”