A hospice which cares for people with terminal illnesses will be able to redecorate vital rooms after being guaranteed a cash donation by the Watford Observer.

The Hospice of St Francis will benefit from a £9,100 cash boost from the newspaper’s Gannett Foundation.

Hospice bosses say they are “thrilled” to receive this money and will use it to repaint all of the rooms where patients live.

In total, 341 people with life-limiting illness were cared for the inpatient unit and their families, while carers and loved ones were also supported by the Hospice.

Bumpers will also be installed on the wall to prevent them from being damaged by beds and other pieces of hospice equipment.

Clare Hearnshaw, director of care and clinical development at the hospice, said: “We seek to improve our patients’ quality of life by helping them to live life as fully as they can when time is precious.

“An important aspect of our care is the ‘home from home’ environment at the Hospice, where patients can relax and spend quality time with their loved ones.

“That is why repainting the rooms to keep them bright and fresh is so important.”

The unit includes two rooms with two beds each, and 10 single rooms with large en-suite bathrooms, televisions and comfortable visitors’ chairs.

Patients have their own private patio area equipped with electrical sockets, overlooking landscaped gardens.

Care at the hospice is free. But it relies on donations for more than 80 per cent of their annual £4.8m running costs.