The Springett family donated rent-free office space on the gallery level of Springetts’ Arcade for the committee to use as a centre of operations in their bid to establish a community hospice in the region.

The office was officially opened on Thursday evening with Tony Springett cutting the ribbon in front of a room full of invited guests.

Guests mingled while they enjoyed finger food and wine and had the opportunity to purchase work by local artists, with 25 percent of the commission donated to the Hospice Committee.

Committee chairman Bob Constable said the office would be open most days during business hours, with volunteers hard at work organising fundraising events in the lead-up to Hospice Week which will be held between February 24 and March 2.

Volunteers can drop in to the office and register their interest.