IT’S known as an extraordinary place for ordinary people, but without St Luke’s Hospice, cancer sufferers in south Essex would have few places to turn.

The hospice has cared for thousands of seriously ill people since it was founded 21 years ago and has asked little in return.

But now, as fundraisers from the hospice in Nether Mayne, Basildon, launch their new 60 Second Appeal, they are asking the public to acknowledge the many services St Luke’s offers to men, women and children going through the toughest times of their lives.

People across Basildon and Thurrock are being asked to donate just £5.76. That’s the amount it takes to look after a patient for one minute.

In that time a hospice nurse can deliver pain relief, change a dressing, provide therapy, comfort a grieving child or perhaps just make a supportive phone call to a patient at home.

Not surprisingly, the recession has taken its toll on charities and St Luke’s, which is almost entirely self-funded, has not escaped the brunt of the downturn.

Marilyn De Battista, head of revenue services at St Luke’s, said: “Our patients are at the heart of everything we do and this is reflected in the way we have developed our services.

“But we can only continue to provide services with the support of our local community.

“The current economic climate is very worrying for us and has had a detrimental effect on our income. This current financial year requires the hospice to find over £3million to keep services running.

“Events we have held recently have not brought in the income we had hoped for and our fundraising programme is currently £10,000 behind budget.”

Lynn Phillips, who is undergoing treatment for bone cancer, knows all too well how vital the hospice is.

Lynn, 63, of Fairview Road, Vange, has already beaten breast cancer after being diagnosed eight years ago. The cancer may be back, but Lynn still has a friend in St Luke’s.

She said: “I come to the hospice day centre once a week. We do activities, have a sleep, talk to each other, enjoy a quiz, lots of stuff.

“Nothing is too much trouble for the staff here. They are amazing. If the hospice wasn’t here, I don’t know what I would do.

“I think everybody who gets cancer at some point thinks, ‘why me?’ There’s no easy answer, but St Luke’s can provide some warmth in your life when you feel at your lowest.”

Grandmother Gloria Collins, of Laindon, also uses the day hospice. She is battling ovarian cancer for the third time. She said: “It’s such a social, comfortable environment here. We have fun. We don’t just sit around talking about cancer.

“I would urge people to support St Luke’s. I for one know how important it is.”

As well as in-patient hospice care and the day hospice, St Luke’s offers many services to people living with cancer and serious illnesses, including support therapy and counselling, even for children who have lost a parent or sibling.

Marilyn is hopeful people will get behind the 60 second appeal.

She added: “As we are only three months into the current financial year our fundraising team is hopeful we can reverse this trend and make up the shortfall as the year progresses.

“We hope the people of Basildon and Thurrock can find it in their hearts to donate to this appeal – just supporting 60 seconds will make a difference.”

l 60 Second Appeal envelopes will be go out in the Echo’s sister papers, the Thurrock Gazette and Basildon, Wickford and Billericay Recorder next week.