Based in the heart of the city in Maudsley Street since 2001, the hospice has helped hundreds of people who have been affected by cancer.

If you add those attending day therapy care to the 16 terminally-ill patients who receive overnight care, about 1,200 people are treated at the centre every year.

March marks the charity's annual Great Daffodil appeal but this year is an extra-special fundraising year for Marie Curie, as in July it is also celebrating its diamond anniversary.

And throughout the year the centre will be hosting events across the city to mark its milestone year.

Community fundraising manager Brenda Doyle said: "The care we offer here is about quality of life.

"We care for the whole person. It's not just the health problems we care about, it's about the inner person as well."

"We are a national charity but we provide local care for the people of Bradford and because it's our 60th anniversary we hope we are going to get the people of Bradford to get behind us."

Mrs Doyle said the building costs more than £7,000 per day to run and although staff do get funding from Bradford health bosses they still have to raise a lot of money themselves.

"We have a great domestic team and we say that this is the kind of care which money can't buy," she said.

"But we still need people to support us with our fundraising."

With its airy, lift-filled rooms surrounded by lush gardens, the building feels more like a hotel than a hospice.

Thirty-six-year old Karen Rai, of Bradford, has cancer and has been in the hospice for three weeks.

She said: "I had been in an NHS hospital so when I came here I thought it would be similar.

"But when I walked into the centre it was like walking into a five-star hotel, it wasn't like a hospice.

"I found it really welcoming and it had the feel of being in a second home.

"They are doing so much for me here."

Mrs Rai is taking advantage of the centre's complementary therapy by having regular reiki treatment for her back-ache.

"We also make things here," she said. "I have a three-year-old daughter and I am making her a keep-sake box, so she will understand that her mummy was in hospital and had cancer. When she comes in to see me there is even a children's room for her to play in."

Mrs Rai said she wanted to raise awareness about the centre, particularly among the Asian community of Bradford.

"I want people to know that Marie Curie is not supported by the Government and isn't publicly funded," she said.

"It really does rely on people to do fundraising.

"Every penny really does count.

"One person costs them £400 a day - I cost them £400 a day. That really brings it home to me how much it costs."

Another patient is 64-year-old David Nash of Shipley.

He has been in the hospice for about three weeks.

"This is the first time I've stayed in here," he said. "Before, I have made use of the day care centre "I couldn't speak highly enough of the centre. The atmosphere is very friendly and the staff are very attentive.

"All the staff make a point of calling you by your first name and the attention is second to none.

"I have a large family, two brothers and four sisters, and they are regular visitors. They are impressed with the centre, the staff and the care I receive."

Mr Nash said seven years ago he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, which could not be operated on.

He said since then the cancer has affected his spine and has now spread up to the base of his skill. A programme of chemotherapy, which started ten months ago, had to be stopped because it was not effective.

Barbara Jones, 73, of Calverley, has been in the hospice for a few weeks.

She said: "The patient care is paramount and everyone has so much patience.

"This is my third week here. I'm in here to try and get rid of the pain - I'm on 16 tablets a day at the moment."

Mrs Jones said she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1986 and ten years later had a mastectomy.

But last year the cancer spread to her spine, hip, thigh and lung.

She said: "This place gives out positivity. I have a lot of friends at home, but there are times when you are on your own. Here you are never on your own, there is always someone around.

"And nothing is too much trouble for them. They even let a friend of mine bring in my dog last week."

Kim Reddyhoff, principal social worker at the hospice, said staff help people with emotional support for post- and pre-bereavement.

"We work with children and families and provide a service to patients, families and friends, to help them cope with a change in situations," she said.

"This can be a role which has changed within the family."

"But we also help people to go home, and with practical advice like the fact that a bed may need to be moved downstairs.

"People don't want to upset their children but the children need to talk about the person who is dying."

Mrs Reddyhoff said it was important to make patients feel that were achieving.

Mike Mandelbaum, Yorkshire area manager for Marie Curie, said: "People are apprehensive about coming to a hospice, but half of the patients go home.

"We also care for people at home. They can have treatment for symptom control at the hospice, and we then discharge them."

"It's a place where people come for a day, it's a place where people come for a few days and then they go home."

Mr Mandelbaum said the hospice moved from its Ilkley site about seven years ago. He said the move has made a big difference to their services, as they can provide easier access for people, both patients and family and friends.

e-mail: ali.davies@telegraphandargus.co.uk

  • Start or join a debate on this issue in our online forum - Click here