A CHRISTCHURCH carer has spoken out in praise of an extraordinary Bournemouth hotel.

Anita Rigler says that it's only thanks to The Grove that she can get a break from caring for her mother, Ann Clark, who suffers from Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, a condition which can create brain bleeds.

Run by Dorset-based charity Macmillan Caring Locally, The Grove is a one-of-a-kind, not-for-profit hotel, located a few minutes' walk from Bournemouth's beaches, which offers a holiday retreat exclusively for those with life-limiting illnesses, along with their carers, families and friends.

The hotel is run by a team of 32 long-serving staff, including specialist oncology nurses on-call 24 hours a day.

"Mum found out about The Grove a few years ago from a friend who was a regular visitor," said Anita, who is a volunteer coordinator at Christchurch Hospital. "Her condition requires her to be monitored frequently, and because of that, taking time away from her carers can be very difficult."

After falling ill Ann decided to try The Grove so that she could have a holiday and her daughter a break, and has been back twice a year since 2015.

Leaving Ann in the The Grove's hands, Anita and Chris have been able to embark on one of their life ambitions - to complete the South Coast Path Walk. The path, which comprises 630 miles, is the longest National Trail in the country and goes along the South Coast, passing The Grove Hotel on the way.

"We don't have to worry at all when mum is at The Grove," said Anita. "She can enjoy all the luxuries of a normal getaway whilst we have the reassurance that professional help is always close by should she need it. Chris and I go away walking, so it would be hard to get off the path and go back in case something comes up."

She said the hotel helped put her mother's medication in order and also helped sort out her computer problems.

"They take her on free weekly trips to places of interest," said Anita. "Even though she has been living in Bournemouth for most of her life, mum still discovers and learns new things with every journey."