THIS Valentine’s, Broad St. Mall is supporting Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice on a quest to share the love with current and future hospice patients, with a Wall of Hearts in the centre.

The Reading shopping centre is encouraging local businesses and members of the public to purchase hearts from the Duchess of Kent Hospice fundraising team, to personalise and hang on the Wall of Hearts.

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Reading businesses are invited to sponsor a metallic heart, engraved with the message ‘Sue Ryder – Love Your Hospice’.

The metal hearts can be purchased for £140 – the cost of funding a hospice nurse for just one day and will be displayed at the organisation's own premises.

Each business will then be invited to write a message on a card heart which will fill a giant Wall of Hearts in Central Square, at Broad St. Mall.

Members of the public can also get involved by purchasing a metal heart if they wish or they can purchase their own card heart, on which they can write their own heartfelt message of support for the hospice and its patients and then hang it on the Wall of Hearts.

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There is no minimum donation for a card heart and all proceeds will go directly to Sue Ryder and support the services they offer the community.

Reading Chronicle:

Nicola Williamson, Centre Manager at Broad St. Mall said: “We’re proud to be supporting Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice with this great initiative once again.

"It’s a great idea and for such a worthwhile cause that touches the lives of many Reading families in one way or another, so we’d like to encourage our customers to take part and share a little love this Valentine’s.

"We’re sure the legacy of this activity will be far reaching and enhance the lives of many.”

Customers can pick up their heart at the Wall of Hearts in Central Square, on Thursday, February 13, and Friday, February 14, where they can also meet the Duchess of Kent fundraising team and learn all about the work that the hospice does.

Sue Ryder provides palliative care in Reading, Newbury and Wokingham.

The charity needs to raise £1.2m every year to continue providing palliative care in the region.

Laura Kell, head of fundraising at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice added: "Our ambition is to deliver more care for more people and to ensure that we are there to support people through the most difficult times of their lives.

"Whether that’s a terminal illness, the loss of a loved one or a neurological condition – we’re there when it matters.

"With this in mind, we’re thrilled to be welcomed to Broad St. Mall once again and look forward to meeting the people or Reading to take part in this fabulous community event.”