l-r, Brentwood mayor Cllr Ann Coe St Francis Hospice chief executive Pam Court, Havering mayor Cllr Lynden Thorpe and Barking & Dagenham mayor Cllr Tony Ramsey.

Staff, volunteers, and guests came together to celebrate the 28th anniversary of a Havering-atte-Bower hospice.

Guests including Brentwood Mayor Cllr Ann Coe and Havering Mayor Cllr Lynden Thorpe, attended a birthday service at St John’s Church, opposite St Francis Hospice.

Cllr Thorpe, who is supporting the hospice during her year in as mayor, said: “It was such a special service. So many of us are touched by the work of the hospice and I continue to get a great sense of community as I listen to peoples’ personal stories of how the hospice has helped them.

“It was wonderful to celebrate the 28th birthday – long may Saint Francis Hospice continue.”

The service was led by hospice Chaplaincy Team Leader Graham Laut and featured hymns, a performance by Emily Onsloe who sang Ennio Morricone’s Nella Fantasia (In my Fantasy) and Franck’s Panis Angelicus.

Chief Executive Pam Court also presented a long-service award to manager of the hospice’s inpatient unit, Sue Lakey, who has worked at the hospice for 20 years.

For more information about the charity visit www.sfh.org.uk.