Prostate Cancer

But I saw how the hospice can bring out the best in people.

He opened up to his family and his quality of life in his last 18 months was first class.

"So many people who are ill die at home alone or in a hospital bed somewhere being completely ignored.

The hospice seemed to be a beacon of hope and great support, and I decided that one day I would get involved in some way." Shortly after this, Mr Nagler, who is also a Hertsmere representative on the Hertfordshire Police Authority, became a trustee of the hospice, and last year, was made chairman.

As chairman, Mr Nagler oversees its current struggle to overcome a £400,000 deficit and raise enough funds to keep its valuable work going.

The hospice, in Peace Drive, Watford, is currently looking at ways to bridge a funding gap.

It needs to reduce its costs and cut back on expenses, such as cleaning bills.

Its annual budget is £3 million, with just under 20 per cent of that money coming from Hertsmere Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Watford and Three Rivers PCT.

This amounts to about £550,000, so the hospice has to rely on the community to raise the remaining £2.5 million.

But Mr Nagler is not panicking about the shortfall.

"We believe we will get the money as the community are always very supportive," he said.

Last month a foundation set up by a S...

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