History of LOROS
We’re a local charity, that was founded by our community in 1977 to care for local people.
We’ve been supporting and caring for patients living with a terminal illness, and their families, across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland for over 30 years.
Find out more about our history, highlights and special days.
1975
December
Joint meeting of Leicester Council of Churches and Leicester Free Church Women’s Council, to secure better care for the terminally ill.
1976
January
Hospice Project Group starts.
1977
March
LOROS becomes a registered charity.
November
Inaugural public meeting at Leicester Town Hall.
1980
December
Groby Road site is chosen for the Hospice at the back of the Hospital.
1981
January
LOROS's first office opens at 18 Friar Lane and Mrs Anne Kind is appointed as the first employee.
February
Leicester Area Health Authority confirms financial support for the proposed Continuing Care Unit (LOROS Hospice).
March
Fundraising appeal is launched at the University of Leicester.
1983
September
Manor Croft, a Victorian house at 147 Ratcliffe Road, Leicester, is bought for conversion to a day centre.
1984
March
The President, Lady Palmer, cuts the first turf at Groby Road site at the start of work on the Groby Road Hospice Building.
April
Manor Croft Day Centre receives its first patients.
June
First client is referred to the counselling service, based at Manor Croft.
1985
August
Voluntary Services team is created.
September
First patient is admitted to the Hospice (registered for 12 beds only).
October
Counselling service moves to the Hospice.
1986
February
Hospice is licensed for 25 beds.
March
The target to raise £1.5 million in five years is achieved.
May
HRH The Prince and Princess of Wales officially open the Hospice.
1989
January
Manor Croft Extension is completed.
August
First LOROS shop opens in Loughborough.
1990
January
Community Nurse Specialist team established (formerly known as Home Care).
July
The Duchess of Kent officially opens the Manor Croft extension.
1995
January
Lymphoedema service commences.
1996
July
LOROS Lottery is launched.
December
First Light up a Life service is held at the Hospice.
1997
February
Keith Vaz, MP, officially opens the new Relatives’ Suite.
1999
June
Jennifer, Lady Gretton is appointed as LOROS President.
2000
May
The Duchess of Gloucester officially opens another Hospice extension.
2002
July
Education team is established.
2004
April
Five new single patient rooms are opened on the ‘back corridor’, now 31 beds.
2007
June
Launched a £2 million Capital Appeal to fund an extension to the Inpatient Unit.
2009
February
Commenced the appointment of LOROS Patrons and Ambassadors.
2010
March
The Duchess of Gloucester officially opens the new Willow Wing extension to the Ward.
September
Founders event held to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hospice opening.
2012
March
The Community Nurse Specialist team moved into the new clinical support hospice extension.
March
Official launch of the CPEP research and education collaboration with De Montfort University at the House of Commons.
May
Official opening of the award-winning Garden of Light & Reflection
December
Manor Croft Day Therapy Unit closes.
2013
January
New Day Therapy service launched at the Hospice.
September
Manor Croft property sold.
2015
February
BBC East Midlands Today presenter, Anne Davies, becomes a Patron of LOROS.
June
LOROS Patron Anne Davies opens the Hospice's first 'By Design' shop. As well as selling designer items at charity shop prices, the shop also boasts a 'by appointment only’ wedding parlour.
September
The Hospice celebrates its 30th Anniversary in the month that it welcomed its first patient 30 years ago. The Hospice launched a '30 for 30' campaign throughout the month of September, raising money and celebrating 30 years of care.
November
Channel 4 Hollyoaks star, Charlie Clapham, becomes Patron of LOROS.
December
Announcement of plans for a £6 million expansion to the Hospice site.
2016
March
The Hospices launches a new social enterprise with a series of bespoke leadership courses for local business professionals and companies.
July
Living saint, His Holiness Shri Rameshbhai Oza, paid a special visit to the Hospice as he returned to Leicester after 14 years.
October
Leicester City legend and LOROS Patron Alan ‘The Birch’ Birchenall 'cuts the turf' to mark the official start of our £6 million extension.
December
The Hospice launches its Consultant Clinic at Uppingham Surgery as part of expansion of services into the Rutland area.
2017
March
Launch of LOROS Local, our mobile resource centre. Taking to the roads of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, LOROS Local will enable people to access our care closer to home. LOROS Local will also help us raise awareness and people will be able to find out about the services the Hospice offers.
April
The Hospice launches innovative 'I Experience VR' app, enabling patients to use virtual reality to experience life again as they battle terminal illnesses. The Hospice launched the project by commissioning and producing a special film, and began an evaluation study on the impact it has on patinets.
June
The Hospice's Research Manager wins the ‘Newcomer Impact Award' at The Clinical Research Network East Midlands Research Awards. The award was presented in recognition of the impact she has since made on research in the medical sector in her first year at the Hospice.
October
Baroness Finlay officially opens Phase One of the Hospice expansion, the brand new LOROS Professional Development Centre.
October
Work begins on Phase Two of our Hospice expansion, the extension and development of our Day Therapy and Outpatient facilities.
November
Hollywood icon Stephen Graham and his actress wife Hannah Walters become Patrons of LOROS.
December
We become the first organisation in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to be awarded SAGE & THYME communications training accreditation.
2018
January
National TV star and comedian Greg Davies becomes Patron of LOROS following hugely successful and inspiring visit to Hospice.
August
Key milestone marked with a topping out ceremony as the final roof tile is placed onto the highly anticipated new Day Therapy and Outpatient’s building.
September
The Hospice launches a ground-breaking filmmaking competition, being one of the world’s first ‘VR for good’ film competitions with a significant cash prize.
September
The Hospice announced important new research as it is awarded a grant of £417,000 from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to explore how BAME patients can be better supported at the end of their lives. The Hospice will work in partnership with Leicester’s Hospitals.
October
Opening of our new Day Therapy and Outpatient's building. These new facilities are one of the best in the UK and will enable us to care for an extra 250 patients a year.
November
The Hospice was one of the three honoured charities invited to meet Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as they visited Leicester City Football Club.
2019
March
Launch of the first LOROS Business Club.