St Margaret's 40th Anniversary

Join St Margaret's Hospice Care as we celebrate 40 years of care.

Forty years ago, on 7 January, 1980, St Margaret’s was registered as a charity.

Since then, thousands of people have worked, volunteered or raised funds to enable us to provide care and support to patients and their families during their precious last months, weeks and days. Today St Margaret’s has around 300 staff and 1,200 volunteers. Last year we supported more than 4,900 people across Somerset.

We’re so excited about our 40^th anniversary. I want to pay tribute to the work of all the volunteers and staff over those years who have made St Margaret’s the phenomenal organisation it is. I’m optimistic about the future for St Margaret’s over the next 40 years because of all the work our local community does to support us. We will be working in partnership with GPs, district nurses, nursing homes and community hospitals to make sure that people don’t have to face a life-limiting condition alone and frightened.

- Ann Lee, Chief Executive of St Margaret's Hospice Care

Celebrate with us - support your local hospice

40th anniversary fundraising There's a great range of fundraising ideas for you to celebrate our Ruby Anniversary, from fun events you can join to ideas to kickstart your own fundraising.

Throughout 2020, 40th Anniversary commemorative pin badges and Ruby Sunflower seeds are available on our online shop here.

Join big-hearted businesses who are supporting St Margaret's this year and celebrate our 40th anniversary by joining the 40 Business Club, a fantastic way to show your company's commitment to your local community.

Our history

In 1978, a team of dedicated and enthusiastic people became convinced that improvements were needed in the care of those suffering from terminal illnesses in Somerset. The following year, Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the modern hospice movement, was invited to give a talk at Dillington House, near Ilminster.

On January 7, 1980, St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice was registered as a charity and a major fundraising drive began. The first event was a cheese and wine party at the County Hotel in Taunton, which raised £400.

Click here to read more about the history of St Margaret’s Hospice Care.