KEMP Hospice has announced the appointment of a new chair of trustees following the charity’s AGM.

Alison Field will replace Tim Gulliver, who has stepped down after more than eight years as a Trustee at Kemp Hospice, including four years as the charity’s Chair.

Alison has a long connection with Kemp Hospice that spans over 25 years, having worked in general practice management within the Wyre Forest.

She said: “I feel very privileged. A Trustees' role in a charity is to be the 'guardians of purpose', making sure that all decisions firmly put the needs of our patients and clients first.

“The Kemp Board of Trustees are a fantastic and committed group of individuals, with diverse skills and backgrounds and I am very pleased to be working with them all and with the management team, staff and incredible volunteers that support Kemp and without whom we could simply not function.”

She added: “As Kemp is about to enter its 50th Anniversary year it never ceases to amaze me how much love and support there is in Wyre Forest.

“So many people have been touched by Kemp and its activities and it is always lovely to hear the positive stories.

“Kemp came from a very small group of individuals coming together to support others and has grown into a wide range of specialist services that offers support to patients and families at a difficult time of their lives.

“This seems to have been achieved whilst still offering a “family” feel. All of the Trustees recently met up with the management team at Kemp to discuss the five-year plan for the Hospice and service sustainability and developments.

“We are really looking forward to finalising this and also to make plans for some incredibly exciting fundraising events during our 50th Anniversary year.

“Fundraising is obviously very important to us, it is vital in ensuring that we are able to offer the crucial Kemp services to as many people as possible right here in our home of the Wyre Forest district.”

Heidi Hawkins, Chief Executive of Kemp Hospice, said: “This is an exciting time for Kemp and I couldn’t be happier at Alison’s appointment as Chair. I am really looking forward to working closely with her, in delivering excellent care and support to the people of the Wyre Forest.”