THE appeal to raise the £330,000 needed to start laying the foundations of the new base for the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow has just received a boost.

ScottishPower Foundation is making a donation of £25,000 towards the work at Bellahouston Park.

It brings the state-of-the-art facility with purpose-built accommodation and 21st century care for the terminally ill one step closer.

"The ScottishPower Foundation is committed to supporting programmes that enhance the quality of life in local communities," said Ann Loughrey, trustee and executive officer of the Foundation.

"We are very pleased to provide funding to the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice as they look to develop and enhance their facilities and services to those who need it most."

The hospice's Foundations Appeal, backed by the Evening Times, is seeking the help of the people of Glasgow to build the new facility.

The much-loved building in Carlton Place is now too small to meet modern patient and clinical demands. It's a natural progression to move into new, bigger and modern premises and will include young people in its care plan, as well as adults.

The new premises promise patients and families, as well as staff, beautiful outdoor spaces and stunning gardens allowing space, privacy and areas for quiet contemplation and will bring world-class hospice care to the people of Glasgow, offering privacy and compassionate care to the people who need it.

It will be the first hospice in the UK to implement the Sengetun model of care - a Scandinavian model that puts patients and family at the centre of its focus alongside optimal operational efficiency.

It will also provide hotel-style comfort with 16 private en-suite bedrooms with private terraces, soft seated areas and domestic style, open plan kitchens.

The accommodation will allow patients and families the opportunity to eat together. The aim is to provide more space, independence and privacy to allow greater opportunity for normal family activity.

The new hospice's commitment to the palliative care of young people aged 15 plus will also include specialised accommodation to meet their particular needs.

This will include family bedrooms, family lounges, social areas, complementary therapy rooms, spa bathrooms, a hydrotherapy pool, sanctuary, sensory room, young people's lounge and training rooms.

"This generous donation from ScottishPower Foundation is a huge help to getting the foundations laid for the new building," said Rhona Baillie, Prince & Princess of Wales chief executive.

O donate to the Foundations Appeal, visit www.ppwh.org.uk/brick-by-brick/foundations-appeal