Ballarat Hospice Care is creating a Remember Me story wall to reinforce its ties to the community.

Hospice will auction off blocks on the story walls in the organisation’s new foyer amid a special fundraising event on Saturday, opposite Ballarat Town Hall. The aim is a unique and important way for everyone to reflect, remember and honour a loved one, staff member or to make a contribution.

Ballarat Hospice Care board member Kevin Harper said the nature of the block project, would mean the wall will continue to change and “live” as hospice grows.

“Everyone’s contribution will show,” Mr Harper said. “Building bricks will help strengthen palliative care and its delivery in Ballarat. The wall’s state-of-art image will be powerful and the wall itself is dynamic, it will show the past, the current and there is space for the future.”

This fundraising project is part of the Give to Help Hospice Grow appeal, which aims to raise $1 million towards a move to a new purpose-built hub in Lucas.

The Victorian government last month announced a $6.3 million grant for the new building.

Remember Me is inspired by the history of fundraising work in Lucas where the Lucas Girls, from Lucas Clothing Factory, raised money to plan almost 4000 trees in Ballarat’s original Avenue of Honour between 1917 and 1919. The Lucas Girls were also instrumental in Arch of Victory construction.

Hospice hoped to capture the Lucas Girls’ passion and community spirit, which Ballarat Hospice Care executive officer Carita Clancy was similarly shown in the community’s support for the Hospice appeal.

“We wouldn’t have got the $6.2 million (from the state government) is the community, from all walks of life, hadn’t believed in us,” Ms Clancy said. “We still need and value that ongoing support to help finalise the building details, and for ongoing service delivery into the future.” 

Palliative care demand in Ballarat has increased 18 per cent in the past year.

The project is expected to be completed by late 2019.

This year, the state government also announced a $5 million boost for palliative care with a focus on at home care. Ballarat Hospice received $182,675 to buy vehicles, clinical equipment and communication, and security equipment.

Remember Me fundraiser will be in Queen Victoria Square, opposite the Town Hall, on Saturday between 11am and 2pm with larger blocks to be auctioned at 12.30pm. Donations from $50 to $250,000 will be recognised on the story wall.