ONE of the district's best-loved charities is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

St Clare Hospice, in Hastingwood, has been tending to loved-ones in the Epping Forest District and beyond since 1990.

Staff and volunteers at the hospice's various charity shops including its branches in Epping and Loughton,have been gathering to celebrate and to encourage people to donate towards its £6,000 a day running costs.

The idea behind St Clare came about in 1987 when Jo Brennan, a member of the local health authority, joined with councillors, healthcare professionals and business owners to look into provision for terminal illnesses.

By 1990 a trust was finally formed and St Clare Hospice was born.

Initially operating as day hospice services at various locations including Parsonage Court, Loughton, and Jessops Court in Waltham Abbey, St Clare moved to its current farmhouse home in Hastingwood in 1993.

It now has plans to expand its services even further and begin hospice at home services for local people.

Director of fundraising Sue Upton said: “2010 will be a year of celebration, an opportunity to recognise the achievements of the last 20 years and a year to further develop our services.”

For more information about St Clare call 01279 773750 or visit stclarehospice.org.uk.