A SPECIALIST centre offering treatment and care to South Cheshire people with life-limiting illness is on target to open by the summer.

St Luke’s £1m Centre of Excellence is now halfway built near Sandbach after welcoming several key sponsors onboard.

Now an appeal to equip the facility has reached £40,000 and builders are back on site after the Christmas break working flat out to complete the project by June.

The centre, unique to the North West, will improve the end-of-life care of local elderly people through state-of-the-art research, education and training for care professionals in the community.

South Cheshire people suffering from all life-limiting conditions, including cancer, dementia and Parkinson’s Disease will have access to treatment as well counselling and therapeutic activities on a day care basis.

Various South Cheshire businesses including Chatwins, Caffe Nero, Barringtons and Pure PR are supporting the appeal.

Joining them this week is Simply Gym in Crewe where members have responded well putting notes in collection boxes.

Appeal co-ordinator Martha Hine said: “With our hospice in Winsford, our presence in Mid Cheshire is strong but St Luke’s is for everyone and the site location shows our commitment to reach out across South Cheshire also.

“The Centre of Excellence will offer all the care and dedication currently available at Winsford, but without bed provision, and will be a huge asset to this area of the county.”

A £500,000 fundraising drive, dubbed the President’s Appeal, was launched at the Tarporley home of Hollyoaks TV mogul Phil Redmond in the autumn.

A Government grant secured the land at Wheelock Heath Business Park and allowed building work to get underway in November. Funds raised by the appeal will equip the centre.

Anyone who can help support the President’s Appeal through sponsorship or by making a donation is asked to call Martha Hine on 01606 555685.