PATIENTS at Halton Haven hospice can make use of retail therapy with a new on-site shop.

Butterflies gift shop, located at the hospice in Barnfield Avenue, Runcorn, was opened by the Mayor and Mayoress of Halton, Councillors John and Marjorie Bradshaw last week.

The aim of the shop is to provide an opportunity for patients to have independence and buy their own toiletries, confectionary and gifts, including sweets from Hankins sweet shop in Widnes and plants from Frodsham flowers.

For Halton Haven hospice to continue to provide specialist palliative care to the people of Halton, it needs to raise at least £1.25 million each year.

Chief executive officer, Viv Culleton, said: "The gift shop is a very welcomed addition to the hospice.

"For many years the staff have commented on how nice it would be for our patients to have the chance to 'nip' to the shop to buy their own personal items or perhaps a gift for a birthday or anniversary they wish to commemorate and now they can.

"It’s the small things that are often what matters most, grandmothers having sweets in for when the grandchildren visit, being able to give a gift on a special day that you have chosen yourself, all things we take for granted until we cannot.

"Butterflies will help our patients to independently create and experience special moments and memories at a time that cannot be recaptured."

Butterflies gift shop is manned by volunteers from the community and if you would like apply, please request an application pack from reception or call 01928 712728 for more information.