AFTER just 18 months of operation, the Shakespeare Hospice has proved to be one of Stratford's most vital services, but changes are set to be made at the top as one of its most vital assets has decided to say goodbye after three years at the fund-raising helm.

Peter Wimbush has seen the hospice move from a dream to a reality costing £300,000 a year to operate and he and a team of volunteers have seen millions raised to help the chronically ill.

However, he now feels the time is right to retire as fund-raising director and rather than be replaced, there will be changes to the management structure, including a new chief executive, paving the way for new directions.

Mr Wimbush joined the world of fund-raising ten years ago after his first wife died of cancer. He went to work for Macmillan Cancer Relief as the charity had provided a home nurse for his wife.

After raising cash for all of the Midlands, the opportunity at the Shakespeare Hospice arose giving Mr Wimbush the chance to give something to the Stratford community, into which he had just settled.

"I think it would be difficult not to put your heart and soul into something unless it matters to you personally," he said. "Obviously, cancer was close to my heart and it was important to me to raise as much as I could."

The hospice is not just for cancer sufferers, but for anyone with a potentially life-threatening progressive illness, like motor neurone disease or multiple sclerosis. But the work of the hospice has struck a chord that has resonated throughout the community.

Mr Wimbush said as most people have suffered a bereavement due to cancer or have seen relatives treated at the hospice, the public had been particularly generous to the building appeal, which saw the hospice open in 1999.

"When people can see what they are paying for, like this will pay for a tile or this will pay for a brick, it makes more sense to them, but it is proving to be more difficult to get them to hand over a donation for running costs as they are not quantifiable," he said.

"We have to work hard to get the message across and we do very well. However, you have to bear in mind that we get no state funding, we have to pay the £1,000 a day running costs with voluntary contributions and that is hard work."

Mr Wimbush has helped raise the money by masterminding and introducing a three-tiered fund-raising system, which uses campaigns and appeals, the hospice charity shops and tin-rattling at specific events that targets many different people at different times.

One of the current campaigns, the Christmas Light up a Life appeal, is one of the most successful. The festive season often brings home the feeling of loss and it is a comfort to many that they have been able to commemorate the life of a loved one by sponsoring a light on the hospice's special Christmas tree.

Even then, it is hard to compete with a growing arena of charities, particularly as national charities are doing more to target people locally.

Although the mantle has been a tough one, Mr Wimbush will miss his work at the hospice - particularly the staff and volunteers who have created an amazing atmosphere.

"It will be hard leaving it behind," he conceded, "But I'm not going completely. You will still see me rattling my tin on street corners!"

l The Light up a Life campaign sees a Christmas tree erected in the hospice grounds carrying hundreds of lights, which can be dedicated to the memory of family and friends. Donors can attend a special carol service and can see the name of their loved one printed in a book of remembrance.

To make a contribution fill in the coupon and send it to the address printed. The minimum suggested donation is £5.