IT’S a very happy 20th birthday for Poole’s Lewis-Manning Hospice today.

Exactly 20 years ago it opened up at the late Marjorie Lewis-Manning’s home on Evening Hill, in Lilliput, to care for people living with cancer and life-limiting illnesses.

Two decades on, it offers a free day hospice service and various clinics from a temporary base at Constitution Hill Road in Poole, until a new multi-million pound hospice is ready in April.

It will house a bedded unit for rehabilitation, respite and end of life care from the space spot overlooking Poole Harbour.

Elizabeth Purcell, CEO at Lewis-Manning Hospice, thanked the community for all their support.

She said: “This is a significant milestone for us and we are looking forward to providing care for even more people in the future.”

A third of the charity’s funding comes from the Poole and Bournemouth Primary Care Trust. The remaining £50,000 a month is raised by hospice shops, fundraising initiatives, the hospice lottery and legacies.

People are being asked to celebrate by donating £20 for 20 years.

Call 01202 701 000 to give.