A new community hub aiming to help raise awareness about a hospice and encourage donations has been launched.

The St Nicholas Centre, in Sutton High Street, has joined forces with St Raphael’s Hospice to open the “spacious unit” at no cost to the hospice.

Alongside being used to raise awareness about the charity, it will also enable shoppers to make donations and attend fundraising events.

Gavin Waller, centre director at St Nicholas, said: “We are delighted to be able to support a charity which is so important to the local community, while delivering an exciting and innovative concept which can be of benefit to everyone.

“The hospice needs around £6 million each year to run and, out of that amount, £4 million has to be raised by the hospice itself – which is why it’s vital that everyone gives whatever support they can.

“The community hub will make it easy for people to do that, by donating clothes, books and toys or even signing up for the Hospice Lottery.”

The new community hub’s objective is to be a space for “reflection, relaxation and awareness”, having been decorated in St Raphael’s brand colours of lavender and grey.

It’ll be open all seven days of the week, from 9am to 5pm, while the unit will be offering a varied events programme run by charity volunteers.

Mike Roycroft, St Raphael’s chief executive, said: “St Raphael’s is at the heart of its community – enabling us to foster togetherness, the new hub will allow us to showcase the work we do and the exceptional end-of-life services we provide.

“Having a home at a busy shopping centre like St Nicholas is a fantastic opportunity for us and we are very grateful for this amazing support.”