A former Martlets fundraiser said he was moved to see the refurbished hospice unveiled and he will move in when his health deteriorates due to terminal thyroid cancer. Dozens of people, including Marc Valentine-Morton, attended the reopening of Martlets hospice in Wayfield Avenue, Hove, on Saturday after its £10 million renovation. Marc moved to Brighton in 2003 to pursue a career in musical theatre .
At that time, he performed in concerts to raise money for Martlets. In 2020, he had to have his larynx removed after discovering he had an aggressive thyroid cancer which had spread throughout his throat. It meant he could never sing again.
It was then that Marc's oncologist suggested he get support from Martlets, as he was "getting into a dark place". “I made a promise to myself that I would live long enough to see the new building,” Marc told The Argus. The hospice, which can accommodate 14 patients in en-suite rooms, was drastically remodelled during the two-year project.
New facilities include sensory and memory gardens for patients and their loved ones, counselling and therapy rooms, a new gym for rehabilitation therapy and improved family and visitor areas, including a cafe. The new entrance and cafe (Image: The Argus) “To be here today and still be relatively well is amazing and emotional,” said Marc. “It is lovely here and feels like a second home.
“When my disease gets to terminal phase I will be coming into the hospice. “When I think about the latter sta.
