Patients, families, carers and friends from Croydon all gathered last week to celebrate St Christopher's Hospice's 50th birthday.

The hospice has cared for and supported over 55,000 from the boroughs of Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, Bromley and Croydon over the years and celebrated the milestone in style.

“It has been a really memorable day with patients, volunteers and staff old and new all coming together to celebrate fifty years of St Christopher’s caring for our community," joint chief at St Christopher’s Hospice Heather Richardson said.

“Fifty years on from our founding, we are proud of St Christopher’s achievements but we also face challenges.

"Many people are living longer with more complex conditions and needs, which means that hospices may need to play an even greater role to ensure all dying people and those close to them have access to the care and support they need, when and wherever they need it."