Former PM takes on hospice ambassador role

Former Prime Minister Theresa May has been announced as the new ambassador for a hospice charity.

Baroness May, who served as prime minister between 2016 and 2019, will champion the work of Thames Hospice, based in her former constituency of Maidenhead, in Berkshire.

She praised the work of the charity in bringing "comfort and dignity" to patients and their families.

The former Conservative leader stood down at the last general election and was elevated to the House of Lords as Baroness May of Maidenhead.

Thames Hospice said Baroness May had been a "passionate supporter" for more than a decade, in particular, backing its appeal for a new state-of-the-art facility in Maidenhead, which opened in 2020.

Chief executive Dr Rachael de Caux said: "We look forward to working together to ensure that more people in our community can access the compassionate care they need at the most difficult time in their lives."

The hospice provides specialist palliative and end-of-life care services to people in east Berkshire and south Buckinghamshire, in their own homes and within the hospice.

The role of ambassador will see the former PM help raise the charity's profile locally and nationally and support it through public engagements.

Baroness May said: "I am deeply honoured to accept the role of ambassador for Thames Hospice, an organisation that provides such vital palliative and end-of-life care and support for local people.

"I look forward to championing their mission and raising awareness of the incredible work they do to bring comfort and dignity to patients and their families."

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