A mixed group of people enjoyed a garden party at a children’s hospice where they learnt about its vital work.

Among them were residents who live in the vicinty of Richard House Children’s Hospice in Richard House Drive in Beckton. They were joined by councillors, Masonic Lodge members, school teachers and business people.

Anthea Hare, life president of the east London charity, hosted the event, which was a chance to highlight the work Richard House has been doing and thank the attendees for their support.

Viv Talbot, community fundraising manager at Richard House Children’s Hospice, said: “It was wonderful to see such a strong sense of community at the event. It is important for Richard House to reach out and engage with different groups from the boroughs we serve and express our gratitude for helping us provide the services we offer.”

The Hospice is run by Richard House Trust, a charity founded by Anthea Hare in the early 1990s. Anthea had a brother named Richard, who died when he was a young man following a lifetime of profound disability. This experience, along with her professional background as a children’s nurse, led Anthea to have the vision for a respite service, in a home from home setting, that has become a reality in Richard House.