MARIE Curie’s Cardiff and the Vale Hospice has celebrated its 60th anniversary.

The local hospice, based on Bridgeman Road in Penarth, first opened in 1959 and has since cared for almost 60,000 people with a terminal illness from across Cardiff and the Vale.

The hospice employs over 120 people and cares for patients in its 28 inpatient beds, and through its Day Therapy Unit and Hospice at Home community nursing service.

Staff and volunteers celebrated the occasion with afternoon tea on Friday, September 13, at which Basil Priest, the hospice’s longest-serving volunteer with over 30 years’ service, cut the cake.

Sarah Lloyd-Davies, hospice manager, said: “We are so grateful to all the staff and volunteers who have made it possible for us to continue caring for people in the local community living with a terminal illness, and their families, over the last 60 years.

“It’s been an exciting few years for the hospice and I’m looking forward to seeing what the next 60 years has in store for us.”

The building has undergone a number of renovations and improvements in recent years, including the refurbishment of the hospice’s Day Therapy and Outpatients Unit in 2016 and the installation of a spa bathroom on both inpatient units.

Keeping Faith actress Suzanne Packer opened the new café in April, open to the general public as well as patients and their families.