Sir,

I thought that I would take the opportunity to make your readers aware of the valuable hospice service which we provide. We are concerned that funding from Pembrokeshire Local Health Board has been cut and we are desperately trying to find funds from other sources.

We have been going for 25 years in this county of Pembrokeshire and the last thing we want is to see home care being cut. Patients need to have a choice to be cared for in their own home. We would like to expand our service, but being able to be innovative is difficult when there is not sufficient funding coming in.

By alerting your readers to the type of care our Hospice at Home service can offer, I am hoping that people can undertake some fund-raising on our behalf and support events.

Diagnosis - terminal illness - this does not mean staying away from your home and being separated from those you care about. Paul Sartori Foundation, the Hospice at Home service for the county of Pembrokeshire, can give help and support from diagnosis onwards, straight to you in your home environment.

We can help in the provision of day and night respite care, so you can leave your home with the peace of mind that Paul Sartori nurses are looking after your loved one safe in their own bed. We can also provide pre and post bereavement support direct to you in your home if that is your preference or you can come along to our centre in Haverfordwest.

Feeling a little worn out and stressed by the pressure of care, then we can also offer you the opportunity to experience a massage from our qualified aromatherapist; this can be in your own home or in our therapy room in Paul Sartori House in Haverfordwest. Having a vital piece of equipment such as a profiling bed can make a huge difference to someone who is bed bound and living with a painful illness; Paul Sartori has such equipment to loan.

How much does this cost? What part of the county benefits from this? There is no charge to the end user and patients can be referred from across the county, from St. Dogmaels to Saundersfoot, and everywhere in between. We come to you!

We know that you are thinking that there must be a catch - no there isn't - we are a registered charity and have raised funds to enable us to provide care to those living with a terminal illness. Care can be provided to prevent admission to an inpatient unit, for respite or crisis management, or for longer periods of time.

Care is of the highest possible standard, so as to enhance the quality of life of patients, carers and families. Speak to your family doctor, district nurse and staff on ward 10 in Withybush Hospital - they will vouch for our service.

We are looking for funding all the time to help us carry on this good work; we are established with well trained, caring, staff. Put your trust in us and we will prove to you that your loved one couldn't be in better hands. Telephone our Matron, Sophie or any of our co-ordinating team, Buffy, Linda or Joan, 01437 763223.

I hope that you will think of us around this time and lend support to your local hospice charity.

Lorna Johns, Hospice Director, Paul Sartori Foundation.