Huw was shown around the main hospice building by Chief Executive, Celia Pyke-Lees, and Chairman, Irene Dibben. The building is still currently out of use. He saw the full extent of the fire damage which has affected the entire main building. Although the fire was contained within the ground floor, the smoke and soot damage means that all the residents’ rooms and hospice offices will need specialist cleaning and repairs. Celia and Irene told Huw that the hospice staff have been wonderful and are all gradually getting back into their roles supporting the hospice from temporary accommodation within the grounds. The Day Centre has already resumed its full range of activities. St Michael’s Hospice is well-supported by people in Hastings and Rother but Huw heard that the response from the local community had been over-whelming. In the days following the fire people were turning up with towels, bedding and other items that the Hospice needed. Speaking at the Hospice, Huw said “The fire at St Michael’s Hospice was a terrible ordeal for staff and patients on that night. The ground floor is in a dreadful state and I have nothing but praise for the staff and emergency services for their bravery in evacuating patients so quickly from the building. “St Michael’s Hospice is a resilient and dedicated organisation and they are already restoring their outpatient services using whatever equipment they can get hold of ensure that patients and their families receive the support they need. “Their residents are being looked after by hospice staff at the Conquest Hospital and local care homes who responded to the emergency by offering beds in the middle of the night.” “The specialist cleaning has already started but there is much work to be done. The communities of Hastings and Rother have been absolutely tremendous in supporting the hospice in the immediate aftermath of the fire and I have no doubt that they will continue to do so. “I will support the hospice in every way that I can.” Chloe Dyas, from the hospice, said: “St Michael’s Hospice would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported them over the past couple of weeks, it has made a massive difference to how efficiently and quickly we have been able to continue providing specialist care to patients.” Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1 Make our website your homepage at www.bexhillobserver.net 2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bexhillobserver 3 Follow us on Twitter @BexhillObs 4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Bexhill Observer – always the first with your local news. Be part of it.