ON a misty autumn morning, more than 300 people watched a city’s dream come true.

Six years after the launch of the most ambitious hospice fundraising appeal in the UK, the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice finally opened its doors in a moving celebration.

As the sun started to push its way through the clouds, the bright yellow ribbon covering the door was snipped in two, cheers filled the air and a few tears fell.

Chief executive Rhona Baillie told the audience of supporters: “I am overwhelmed by your kindness.”

She added: “It is a wonderful day to welcome a hospice built by the sheer determination, passion and guts of Glaswegians and Scots locally, nationally and internationally.

“This is a £21m capital fundraising appeal, done the weegie way…”

Evening Times readers have backed the Brick by Brick Appeal since its launch.

Rhona said: “Heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the appeal.

“This is only the start of the journey for us, and what this building can do for our patients and families is outstanding.”

She paid tribute to the “fantastic design team”, including design director Clare Macallister who died in 2016.

“Clare’s passion for this place is interwoven throughout the design and she is in her hearts today,” said Rhona.

Hospice chairman Maureen Henderson said: “This is a wonderful day in the history of the hospice.

“Eight years ago, on a gorgeous April day, the members of the board drove around the south side, looking for a site for a new building.

“When we arrived in Bellahouston Park, we all said right away – this is where we want to be. It is the perfect site, gifted to us by Glasgow City Council, and we have delivered this special building in partnership with them.”

Lord Provost Eva Bolander said the new hospice “ushered in a new era of quality care, delivered with compassion,” for Glasgow.

“To everyone who has supported this wonderful charity, you have the city’s gratitude,” she said.

Maureen thanked the family of the late Sir Arnold Clark for their support of the project.

The main hospice building, which will cater for 1200 patients and their families, has been named in honour of the car retail giant, who died in 2017.

Last year, the Arnold Clark Group contributed a six-figure donation to the Brick by Brick appeal.

Lady Clark said: “We are honoured to be part of the expansion of the hospice and we are delighted to gift the building as part of Sir Arnold’s legacy to the city he loved.”

Guests arrived to the sound of bagpipes, strings and brass, courtesy of the talented young musicians of Mearns Castle High School. Headteacher Dean Smith said the school had raised in excess of £30,000 for the hospice through a variety of events.

Young piper Gordon Burrows, who is in sixth year at the school said: “It’s a real honour to play at the opening of the new hospice and to have played a part, through our fundraising, in making it happen.”

Sheila Brown, whose best friend Audrey Morris died in the hospice in 2000, was part of a group of women who fundraised tirelessly to provide a spa bathroom for the new building.

“Audrey spent four weeks in the hospice, and the care was exceptional,” said Sheila.

“It’s exciting and emotional to be here, to know that the money we have raised will make a big difference.”

The hospice will treat young people for the first time. In a colourful, comfortable corner of the new building – which will be a chill-out lounge for young patients - volunteers Anne Irvine and Cathie McGovern showed visitors around.

The two women decided to volunteer for the hospice after their loved ones received support at home from the team.

Anne’s mum Ina and Cathie’s husband Philip were cared for by the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice team in the final few weeks of their lives.

“My mum didn’t want to come in to the hospice, but the end of life care she received at home – and the counselling and support I had after she died - was wonderful,” explained Anne, who is from Kinning Park. Ina died, aged 76, after being diagnosed with vascular dementia and heart failure.

“It was hard coming here today – I almost cried when I saw how lovely it was and how much of a difference it will make to families.”

She added: “Today is all about the building, of course – but it’s the people, and the care, which really make this place special. That won’t change, wherever we are.”