THE Forrest Centre’s palliative care hospice project would not have come to fruition without the support of the wider Wagga community.

Nearly half of the required money for the project came from community donations, sourced through a committee set up to concentrate on fund-raising.

Chairman of the hospice fund-raising committee Michael Quirk said it was a three-year activity of fairly significant fund-raising.

“The rough figure is around about the $2 million, either through donations from community members and corporate donors, and we also ran raffles and rattled the cans at the AFL match between Collingwood and North Melbourne, as well as holding various dinners,” Mr Quirk said.

“I was blown away by the response. The amount of fund-raising in Wagga is significant … there are so many causes that the community is asked to put their hands in their pockets for.”

Mr Quirk has been impressed by the facility’s development.

“It is a tough time in anyone’s life when they have to use the hospice,” he said. “A lot of effort has gone into thinking about it. Loved ones being able to spend time together is significant.

“People at that time want to be in a comfortable and private environment and that’s what the hospice will achieve. Until it affects you, you don’t know anything about palliative care. I think the focus on the last three years has really helped with awareness.”