Staff at St Catherine's Hospice in Crawley, which serves the East Surrey area, are celebrating a milestone anniversary for the charity.

The hospice in Southgate is this October celebrating its 30th anniversary of providing end-of-life care to local people and their families.

The charity will be holding a fundraising Masquerade Ball at Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, this Saturday (October 5).

The event will be hosted by St Catherine’s patron, BBC newsreader and Reigate resident Nicholas Owen, and will feature dinner, dancing and an auction.

Staff recently held a celebration at the hospice, staging a “bake-off” competition and dressing in 1980s styles to honour the cause's founding in 1983.

For the last three decades, St Catherine’s has offered free support to people needing end-of-life care in Crawley, Horsham, Mid Sussex and East Surrey. The charity also helps the families and friends of those diagnosed with a terminal illness, and facilitates a big network of vital contributions from charitable residents of Sussex and Surrey.

Shaun O’Leary, chief executive at St Catherine’s, said: “As a local charity, St Catherine’s Hospice has provided an essential service for 30 years now, which is a fantastic achievement.”

Mr O'Leary said: “We have grown over those 30 years and now support around 1,600 people each and every year in our wards, at their homes and in our day hospice. “Over the years, many thousands of individuals have played their parts in ensuring St Catherine's Hospice continues to respond to the ever-changing needs of local people. “I’d like to thank everyone who has given money, time or expertise over the last three decades.”

He said: “It’s only with support like yours that we can continue to be there for local people when we are needed most.”

Website: www.stch.org.uk