The thought of creating a Hospital Hotel which would support patients receiving treatment at Derriford was the dream Monica Pearce first suggested back in 1993, following her successful campaign for the Cardiac unit to be brought to Derriford in 1994. Monica and her supporters set the ambitious task to raise over £1,000,000 to build patient, carer and relative accommodation known at the time as 'The Lodge'. Monica rallied her local community and those further afield across Devon and Cornwall, gaining support from various Clubs, societies, businesses and organisations - big and small! With the support from these bodies, and through fundraising events, sponsored campaigns and generous donations from supporters, the total needed was eventually reached. It was quite some occasion when, in 2001, Judi Spiers performed the topping-out ceremony at The Lodge! This was a huge success and an enormous accomplishment, which has proven over the last 20+ years to be a much-needed haven of support for so many families and individuals. 

"There is no doubt that if there is somewhere carers can stay near the hospital, then it alleviates stress considerably" - Terrence Lewis (1999)

However, since 2001 much has changed within the healthcare sector, with an ever-increasing demand for services and a change in how healthcare is delivered across the board. Over time, we have seen the need for our services increase to the point where demand now outstrips our current capacity every day. In the first three months of this year alone there were 1287 nights of stay that we were unable to accommodate; 319 families we could not help in their time of need.

Therefore, we will be following in the footsteps of Monica, embarking on another ambitious build project, but time as an expansion, to ensure that we can continue her legacy and help provide accommodation and support for everyone who needs it. The funds we need to raise are significant, and often overwhelming, as we imagine Monica would have felt back in 1990. However, as we know from Monica's success with determination and hard work championed by our incredible team and loyal supporters, we can achieve and build a brighter future for everyone. 

The original foundations of what stands today as Hearts Together Hospital Hotel (1999/2000)