Local charity St Catherine's Hospice is celebrating 30 years of providing end of life care to local people and their families.

October marks the 30th anniversary of when the first patients were admitted to St Catherine's wards. The charity is marking the milestone by holding a fundraising Masquerade Ball at Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking on Saturday 5th October. The event will be hosted by St Catherine's patron, BBC newsreader Nicholas Owen and will feature dinner, dancing and an auction. Additionally, staff held a celebration at the hospice in late September by holding a bake off and dressing in 1980s clothing to honour the hospice's founding in 1983.

For the last three decades St Catherine's has offered free support to people needing end of life care in Crawley, Horsham, Mid Sussex and East Surrey. The charity also helps the families and friends of those diagnosed with a terminal illness and facilitates a huge network of vital contributions from charitable residents of Sussex and Surrey, who have proven integral to the good cause.

Shaun O'Leary, Chief Executive at St Catherine's Hospice, said: "As a local charity St Catherine's Hospice has provided an essential service for 30 years now, which is a fantastic achievement. We have grown over those 30 years and now support around 1,600 people each and every year in our wards, at their homes and in our day hospice.

"Over the years, many thousands of individuals have played their parts in ensuring St Catherine's Hospice continues to respond to the ever changing needs of local people. I'd like to thank everyone who has given money, time or expertise over the last three decades; it's only with support like yours that we can continue to be there for local people when we are needed most."

To find out how you can help St Catherine's continue to support local people in your community please visit www.stch.org.uk