THE Royal Borough’s long-awaited new children’s hospice is only weeks away from opening – and the support and love that has surrounded its founders John and Fiona Devine shows no sign of fading as fundraisers get out and about again.

The hospice is the result of years of work and campaigning by the couple who founded the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice service in memory of their son.

The charity also provides support for sick children and their families at home.

The hospice has been built on the site of the field at Woodlands Park, Maidenhead which was donated by a wellwisher and will still need the support of fundraisers.

Vinnie McCann, 55, pictured above centre, is project manager at the organic farm Waltham Place Farm which is near the site where the hospice will be.

The former commercial banker who swapped life in the money jungle for life on the farm has put together a fundraising Evening of Entertainment to raise money for the hospice.

He said: “I met Fiona and invited her on to the farm where she spoke all about the hospice and I knew I had to do something meaningful to help.”

The result is An Evening of Entertainment being staged at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Altwood Road, Maidenhead on Saturday, September 30 at 7.30pm.

Mr McCann’s own band Madorbad will be performing, along with best of local talent. He has even written a new song for the occasion – aimed at summing up the occasion called I Recall.

Host Paul Freeman will provide the laughter, brilliant Young Magician of the Year Dean Leavy, pictured, above left, will amaze with his prodigious talent, Kiera Ash will provide sophistication, the Garfunkels will provide memories while Burnham-based Pop Goes the Choir will raise the roof.

Tickets are available at £25. Call 01628 788997 or email boxoffice@nordenfarm.org Also doing her bit for the fundraising Amy Ward, 30, of Dennis Way, Cippenham, pictured above right, who works for Penguins, the event planning company on the Vansittart Estate, which has supported the charity since it started.

She has helped organise the fundraising Heaven Sent Ball.

She will be joining other charity supporters on Saturday, September 23 walking the London Marathon route to raise funds for the new hospice.

She said: “I’m not the most athletic person in the world so this will be quite challenge for me.

“You cannot help but want to be a part of the new hospice.

“It is very easy when talking to people to get passionate about it.”