A PALLIATIVE care charity is in a race against time to raise £500,000 in less than a year.

HAHAV needs to raise the amount to complete the purchase of Plas Antaron, the former hotel on Southgate where the end-of-life charity’s activities are focused.

For several years HAHAV had been looking for a suitable premises with suitable parking and facilities to allow it to provide its critical services to terminally ill patients and their carers.

When the former hotel on the outskirts of Aberystwyth came on the marker more than two years ago, it ticked most of the boxes.

The charity has a three year lease and has until next October to complete the purchase.

“That’s our biggest challenge,” explains James Dunbar, the interim COO, adding that £100,000 in funding has been ringfenced.

Other sources such as the National Lottery are being approached for grant funding – but that £500,000 must be raised within the next 12 months.

“We rely on a large number of volunteers from across the county to support the service,” says Mandy Pilcher, the facilities and services manager at HAHAV.

“Covid has impacted on everyone’s lives. However ill health does not stop just because of this.

“If anything, more people are needing to access safer places like HAHAV at Plas Antaron.”

The group has a busy charity shop in Pier Street, Aberystwyth and this is its main source of funding alongside donations and other fundraising activities.

A new used furniture operation has also recently started, based at Unit 18 in Glan Yr Afon Industrial Estate.

Clients and supporters of HAVAV are able to go and use the Living Well centre at Plas Antaron.

They currently run one-to-one appointments for complementary therapies.

These include aromatherapy, reflexology and reiki.

They offer an informal, tranquil setting with no pressures – just the chance for you to relax, meet others and spend a little quality time somewhere quiet and different from home.

For more information about Living Well contact Susie on: 01970 611 550 or email susie.scott@hahav. org.uk