Cancer patient 'emotional' as £10 million hospice renovation is revealed

A former Martlets fundraiser said he was moved to see the refurbished hospice unveiled and he will move in when his health deteriorates due to terminal thyroid cancer.

Dozens of people, including Marc Valentine-Morton, attended the reopening of Martlets hospice in Wayfield Avenue, Hove, on Saturday after its £10 million renovation.

Marc moved to Brighton in 2003 to pursue a career in musical theatre. At that time, he performed in concerts to raise money for Martlets.

In 2020, he had to have his larynx removed after discovering he had an aggressive thyroid cancer which had spread throughout his throat. It meant he could never sing again.

It was then that Marc's oncologist suggested he get support from Martlets, as he was "getting into a dark place".

“I made a promise to myself that I would live long enough to see the new building,” Marc told The Argus.

The hospice, which can accommodate 14 patients in en-suite rooms, was drastically remodelled during the two-year project.

New facilities include sensory and memory gardens for patients and their loved ones, counselling and therapy rooms, a new gym for rehabilitation therapy and improved family and visitor areas, including a cafe.

• For those who want to support the hospice, to get involved in fundraising or to volunteer,  go to https://www.martlets.org.uk

The new entrance and cafe (Image: The Argus)

“To be here today and still be relatively well is amazing and emotional,” said Marc. “It is lovely here and feels like a second home.

“When my disease gets to terminal phase I will be coming into the hospice.

“When I think about the latter stages, the Martlets focus is that it is going to be ok. It is a joyful place. More importantly, I know when my family and friends come to visit, they will feel relaxed and welcome.

“I am not afraid. Martlets takes the fear out of end of life.”

One of the new bedrooms (Image: The Argus)

The original Martlets building opened in 1997 and has supported more than 36,000 local people since then.

READ MORE: People can have wills drawn up for under £300 thanks to charity initiative

Amanda Fadero, CEO of Martlets, said she is excited for people to see the new building.

From left Amanda Fadero, CEO of Martlets, Andrew Blackman, HM Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex, Martlets’ chairman of trustees Mike Rymer (Image: Martlets)

“It is not just the amazing facilities, it is the realisation of the community effort that has gone into this,” she said.

“It was such an effort to continue to provide services while not being here.”

The new family room (Image: The Argus)

Amanda said the new space allows people to access end of life care with dignity and respect, adding: “Our ethos is every day is precious wherever you are in your journey.”

During the renovations, inpatients were cared for at Maycroft Manor in Carden Avenue, Patcham.

Ward sister Jess Featherbe, who has worked at Martlets for nine years, said patients are encouraged to make their space their own, and can even bring pets along, too.

Ward sister Jess Featherbe in one of the new rooms (Image: The Argus)

“You only get one shot at doing end of life care,” she said. “Every death is different and you only get that one opportunity.

“It is about tailoring the experience and always asking what matters to patients. Our job is to make the last days and weeks the best we can.”

Of the £10 million spent on the renovations, more than £2.5 million was generated by fundraising activities, which the charity said shows how important it is to people in Sussex.

Mike Rymer, chairman of trustees, said: “It can be an anxious journey particularly in terms of finances. But you really sense that people want Martlets to succeed and they love it.

“So many people have been touched by it in some way."

The charity cares for more than 3,000 people living with a terminal diagnosis each year in Brighton, Hove and the Havens.